Cathode material for a lithium-sulphur cell

ABSTRACT

A cathode material for an electrochemical cell, in particular a lithium-sulfur cell, including at least one cathode active material and at least one in particular lithium ion-conducting or lithium ion-conductive polymer electrolyte and/or at least one inorganic ion conductor, in particular a lithium ion conductor. The at least one cathode active material includes a polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur. Moreover, also described is a cell and a battery equipped with same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cathode materials for alkalimetal-sulfur cells, in particular for lithium-sulfur cells, andcorresponding cells and batteries.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lithium-ion batteries, also referred to as lithium-ion accumulators, areused nowadays in a variety of products as energy stores. Lithium-sulfurbattery technology is being researched in order to manufacture batterieshaving a higher energy density.

Conventional lithium-sulfur cells contain elemental sulfur, and inparticular contain ether-based electrolyte solvents to ensure solubilityof the sulfur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present invention relates to a cathodematerial for an electrochemical cell, for example for an alkali metalcell, for example a lithium cell and/or a sodium cell, in particular alithium cell, for example for an alkali metal-sulfur cell, for example alithium-sulfur cell and/or a sodium-sulfur cell, in particular alithium-sulfur cell, which includes at least one in particularsulfur-containing cathode active material and at least one in particularlithium ion-conducting or lithium ion-conductive polymer electrolyte,and/or at least one inorganic ion conductor, in particular a lithium ionconductor.

Due to the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least oneinorganic ion conductor, the ion conductivity and ionic bonding, andthus the ionic contacting of the cathode active material, mayadvantageously be improved. As a result, increased ion conduction forthe ion of the alkali metal, in particular increased lithium ionconduction, in the cathode, i.e., the positive electrode of the cell,may in turn advantageously be achieved, which allows the cathodematerial to be advantageously used in a high-current cell or ahigh-current battery. In addition, in this type of cell or battery,introduction of liquid electrolytes into the cathode may be dispensedwith, and in particular the cell may be provided as a solid state cell.

An alkali metal cell may be understood in particular to mean anelectrochemical cell, for example a battery cell or accumulator cell, inwhose electrochemical reaction alkali ions, for example lithium ions,for example in the case of a lithium cell, or sodium ions, for examplein the case of a sodium cell, take part. For example, an alkali metalcell may be a lithium cell and/or a sodium cell.

An alkali metal-sulfur cell may be understood in particular to mean anelectrochemical cell, for example a battery cell or accumulator cell, inwhose electrochemical reaction alkali ions, for example lithium ions,for example in the case of a lithium cell, or sodium ions, for examplein the case of a sodium cell, and sulfur take part. For example, analkali metal-sulfur cell may be a lithium-sulfur cell and/or asodium-sulfur cell.

A polymer electrolyte may be understood in particular to mean anion-conductive or ion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conductive orlithium ion-conducting, polymer. For example, a lithium ion-conductiveor lithium ion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, polymer may also be referred to as a polymerelectrolyte. An ion-conductive, for example lithium ion-conductive,electrolyte may be understood in particular to mean an electrolyte whichitself may be free of the ions to be conducted, for example lithiumions, but which is designed for coordinating counterions of the ions tobe conducted, for example lithium conducting salt anions, or forcoordinating and/or solvating the ions to be conducted themselves, forexample lithium ions, and to make them ion-conducting, for examplelithium ion-conducting, for example by adding the ions to be conducted,for example lithium ions. When used in a cathode material, a polymerelectrolyte in particular may also be referred to as a cathodeelectrolyte or catholyte. For example, the polymer electrolyte may belithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting and/or sodiumion-conductive or sodium ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting. An ion-conducting, for examplelithium ion-conducting, electrolyte or polymer may be understood inparticular to mean an electrolyte or polymer that is intrinsicallyion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conducting, and/or that containslithium ions. An ion-conductive, for example lithium ion-conductive,electrolyte or polymer may be understood in particular to mean anelectrolyte or polymer which itself may be free of the ions to beconducted, for example lithium ions, but which is designed forcoordinating and/or solvating the ions to be conducted, for examplelithium ions, or for coordinating counterions of the ions to beconducted, for example lithium conducting salt anions, and to make themion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conducting, for example byadding the ions to be conducted, for example lithium ions.

The at least one cathode active material may in particular containsulfur. For example, the at least one cathode active material mayinclude, for example contain or be formed from, a sulfur-compositeand/or elemental sulfur and/or a sulfur compound.

For example, the at least one cathode active material may include or bea sulfur-carbon composite. A sulfur-carbon composite may in particularbe understood to mean a composite which includes sulfur and carbon. Inparticular, for the sulfur-carbon composite, sulfur may be bound, forexample covalently and/or ionically, in particular covalently, to carbonand/or embedded therein. Improved electrical and/or ionic contacting ofthe sulfur, for example compared to simple mixtures, may advantageouslybe achieved by bonding or embedding the sulfur, which is neitherionically nor electrically conductive, to or in the carbon of thecomposite. In addition, (poly)sulfides S_(x) ²⁻ which occur duringdischarge (reduction) of a cell may be better retained in the cathode,and the sulfur utilization and cycle stability may advantageously beimproved in this way. For example, the at least one cathode activematerial may include a sulfur-carbon composite, for example, in whichsulfur is covalently bound, in particular to carbon.

In particular, the at least one cathode active material may [include] asulfur-polymer composite and/or carbon modification composite. Asulfur-polymer composite may be understood in particular to mean acomposite which includes sulfur and at least one polymer or is formedtherefrom. A sulfur-carbon modification composite may be understood inparticular to mean a composite which includes sulfur and a carbonmodification, i.e., elemental carbon or carbon with an oxidation numberof zero, for example carbon nanotubes and/or hollow carbon spheresand/or graphene and/or graphite and/or carbon black. The at least onecathode active material may optionally be a sulfur-polymer compositeand/or carbon modification composite.

For example, the at least one cathode active material may include asulfur-polymer composite. For example, the sulfur-polymer composite, inparticular in addition to sulfur, may include or be formed from (atleast) one, in particular electrically conductive, polymer, for examplepolyacrylonitrile, in particular cyclized polyacrylonitrile (cPAN),and/or polypyrrole and/or polythiophene and/or polyphenylene, forexample, in particular cyclized polyacrylonitrile and/orpolyparaphenylene. In particular, sulfur may be bound, for examplecovalently and/or ionically, in particular covalently, to the inparticular electrically conductive polymer and/or embedded in itsmatrix. Cyclized polyacrylonitrile (cPAN) may in particular have astructure made up of mutually connected, in particular anellated, rings,in particular six-membered rings, and/or a repeating unit which containsthree carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom, for example in which adjacentrings contain at least two shared carbon atoms. Improved binding and/orin particular finely distributed embedding of the sulfur as well asimproved mechanical properties compared to sulfur-carbon modificationcomposites may advantageously be achieved using sulfur-polymercomposites, as the result of which the electrical and/or ioniccontacting in addition to sulfur utilization, and thus the energydensity, may be further improved.

For example, the at least one cathode active material or thesulfur-polymer composite may include or be a polymer containing sulfurwhich, for example, is partially or completely bound, for examplecovalently and/or ionically, in particular covalently.

Within the scope of one specific embodiment, the at least one cathodeactive material includes a polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur. Due to the binding of the sulfur, which is neitherionically nor electrically conductive per se, to the polymer of thecomposite, polysulfide formation may advantageously be suppressed, andin particular improved electrical and/or ionic contacting of the sulfur,for example compared to simple mixtures, may also be achieved, andsulfur may be even better retained in the cathode, and the sulfurutilization, cycle stability, and energy density may advantageously beimproved in this way. For example, the polymer may be electricallyconductive or conducting. For example, the at least one cathode activematerial may include or be a polymer, in particular based onpolyacrylonitrile (PAN), in particular cyclized polyacrylonitrile(cPAN), and/or polypyrrole and/or polythiophene and/or polyphenylene,for example, in particular based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN), with inparticular covalently bound sulfur, or a sulfur-polyacrylonitrilecomposite, in particular SPAN. The sulfur-polymer composite may inparticular be a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, for example SPAN. Inparticular, the polymer in the charged state of the cell may includecovalently bound sulfur. Alkali metal ions (Li⁺), for example lithiumions and/or sodium ions, in particular lithium ions, may be bound, inparticular ionically, to the sulfur by partial reduction of the sulfurthat is bound, in particular covalently, to the polymer, and/or duringdischarge. During discharge, the covalent bond of the sulfur to thepolymer may in particular be at least partially broken.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the polymer is prepared with inparticular covalently bound sulfur by sulfidation of a polymer, forexample polyacrylonitrile and/or polypyrrole and/or polythiophene and/orpolyphenylene, in particular polyacrylonitrile. Sulfidation may beunderstood in particular to mean a chemical reaction of asulfur-containing compound, for example elemental sulfur and/or asulfur-containing compound, with an organic compound, for example apolymer. In particular, a covalent bond between sulfur and the organiccompound, for example the polymer, may be formed by sulfidation. Forexample, the polymer may include, or be, cyclized and for exampledehydrogenated polyacrylonitrile, for example SPAN, which is sulfidizedwith in particular covalently bound sulfur. Sulfidized, cyclized, andfor example dehydrogenated polyacrylonitrile, for example SPAN, may inparticular have a structure made up of interconnected, in particularanellated, rings, in particular six-membered rings, and/or a repeatingunit which contains three carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom, forexample in which adjacent rings contain at least two shared carbonatoms.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, the at least one cathodeactive material includes polyacrylonitrile containing sulfur which, forexample, is partially or completely, in particular completely, forexample covalently and/or ionically, in particular covalently, bound,for example SPAN. The sulfur-polymer composite may in particular be asulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, for example SPAN. SPAN may beunderstood in particular to mean a composite or polymer that is based inparticular on polyacrylonitrile (PAN), in particular cyclizedpolyacrylonitrile (cPAN), containing sulfur which is bound, inparticular covalently, and which is obtainable in particular by athermal conversion and/or chemical reaction of polyacrylonitrile in thepresence of sulfur. In particular, nitrile groups may react to form apolymer, in particular having a conjugated n system, in which thenitrile groups are converted into linked nitrogen-containing rings, inparticular six-membered rings, in particular containing covalently boundsulfur. For example, SPAN may be prepared by heating polyacrylonitrile(PAN) with an excess of elemental sulfur, in particular to a temperatureof ≥300° C., for example approximately ≥300° C. to ≤600° C. Inparticular, the sulfur may on the one hand cyclize the polyacrylonitrile(PAN) to form hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and on the other hand, forming acovalent S—C bond, for example, may be bound in the cyclized matrix in afinely divided manner, for example a cyclized polyacrylonitrilestructure with covalent sulfur chains. SPAN is described in Chem.Mater., 2011, 23, 5024, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 23240, J.Electrochem. Soc., 2013, 160 (8), A1169-A1170, and in the publication WO2013/182360 A1.

Alternatively or additionally, for this purpose the at least one cathodeactive material may include a sulfur-carbon modification compositewhich, in particular in addition to sulfur, includes or is formed from(at least) one carbon modification, for example carbon tubes, forexample carbon nanotubes, and/or hollow carbon spheres and/or grapheneand/or graphite and/or carbon black, for example in the form of carbonparticles and/or carbon fibers. In particular, sulfur may be embedded inthe matrix of the carbon modification, for example in the carbon tubesand/or hollow carbon spheres. Improved electrical and/or ioniccontacting, for example compared to simple mixtures, as well as improvedsulfur utilization may thus advantageously be achieved. The carbonmodification may optionally be surface-modified, in particular with apolysulfide-affinic compound, for example with titanium carbide and/orpolyethylene glycol and/or polyethylene oxide and/or a polymerelectrolyte described below. It is thus advantageously possible to alsocounteract outward diffusion of polysulfides and to better retainpolysulfides in the cathode matrix.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cathode active materialmay include a sulfur-metal compound composite which, in particular inaddition to sulfur, includes or is formed from at least one inparticular electrically conducting metal compound, for example at leastone in particular electrically conducting metal oxide, for example anoxide of tin and/or indium and/or tantalum and/or niobium, for exampletin-doped indium oxide and/or tin oxide doped with tantalum, niobium,and/or fluorine, and/or at least one in particular electricallyconducting metal carbide, for example titanium carbide, for example inthe form of wires and/or fibers and/or a mesh. For example, sulfur maybe embedded in the matrix of the metal compound, for example in and/orbetween fibers and/or wires and/or the mesh. Improved electrical and/orionic contacting, for example compared to simple mixtures, as well asimproved sulfur utilization may thus advantageously be achieved.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cathode active material,in particular in the charged state, may include at least one metalsulfide, in particular a transition metal sulfide. A sulfide may beunderstood to mean, for example, a chemical compound that containsnegatively charged sulfur, in particular at least one sulfide anion(S²⁻) and/or disulfide anion (S₂ ²⁻) and/or polysulfide anion. If the atleast one metal sulfide is used as the sole cathode active material, theat least one metal sulfide may include in particular electrochemicallyactive sulfur, in particular which is electrochemically active withinthe scope of the electrochemical reaction of the cell for which thecathode material is designed, for example at least one disulfide anion(S₂ ²⁻) and/or at least one polysulfide anion and/or ahyperstoichiometric sulfur portion, for example sulfur which is notdirectly connected to metal and/or unbound sulfur and/or unchargedsulfur and/or sulfur having an oxidation number of zero, for examplesulfur incorporated into the crystal structure thereof.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onecathode active material, for example the sulfur-carbon composite, forexample the sulfur-polymer composite, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, is homogeneouslyblended with the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the at leastone inorganic ion conductor and/or mixed at the molecular level, forexample. In particular, the polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur may be homogeneously blended and/or mixed at the molecularlevel, for example, with the at least one polymer electrolyte. Forexample, the at least one cathode active material, for example thesulfur-carbon composite, for example the sulfur-polymer composite, inparticular the polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur,and the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least oneinorganic ion conductor may be present uniformly distributed. In thisway, it is possible to advantageously achieve homogeneous blending orintermixing of the electrochemical phase which is formed by thesulfur-containing polymer, and the ion-conducting phase which is formedby the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or at least one inorganicion conductor, and which, for example, conducts only the alkali ionsthat take part in the electrochemical reaction, in particular lithiumions, and thus to further improve the ionic bonding of theelectrochemically active phase.

A mixture at the molecular level or a molecular mixture may beunderstood in particular to mean that one or a few polymer strands ofthe at least one polymer electrolyte is/are situated between polymerstrands of the polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur(see FIGS. 1a through 1c ). For example, the ratio of the number ofpolymer strands of the polymer containing in particular covalently boundsulfur to the number of polymer strands may be greater than or equal to2:1, for example 2:1 to 3:1.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the cathode materialincludes particles which include, in particular contain or are formedfrom, the at least one cathode active material and the at least onepolymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductor, inparticular lithium ion conductor. For example, the cathode material mayinclude particles which include, in particular contain or are formedfrom, the sulfur-carbon composite, for example sulfur-polymer composite,and the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least oneinorganic ion conductor, in particular lithium ion conductor. Inparticular, the cathode material may include particles which include, inparticular contain or are formed from, the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, for example SPAN, and the at leastone polymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductor,in particular lithium ion conductor.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onecathode active material, for example the sulfur-carbon composite, forexample the sulfur-polymer composite, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, together with the atleast one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ionconductor is homogeneously blended and/or mixed at the molecular level,for example, into the particles. For example, the at least one cathodeactive material, for example the sulfur-carbon composite, for examplethe sulfur-polymer composite, in particular the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, and the at least one polymerelectrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductor may bepresent in the particles uniformly distributed. Since the particlesthemselves are ion-conducting, the ion conduction may advantageouslytake place directly from particle to particle. The ionic contacting ofthe at least one cathode active material may thus advantageously beimproved. In addition, the quantity of polymer electrolyte used ascathode material binder may advantageously be significantly reduced, ora polymer electrolyte used as cathode material binder may even bedispensed with.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the particles are thereforedirectly joined together, for example pressed, and/or the cathodematerial is free of polymer electrolyte used as cathode material binder.

However, within the scope of another embodiment, the particles areincorporated into at least one polymer electrolyte and/or inorganic ionconductor, in particular lithium ion conductor, used as cathode materialbinder. The at least one polymer electrolyte and/or inorganic ionconductor, in particular of the particles, and the at least one polymerelectrolyte and/or inorganic ion conductor used as cathode materialbinder may be the same or different.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onecathode active material, for example the sulfur-carbon composite, forexample the sulfur-polymer composite, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, and the at least onepolymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductorform, for example at the molecular level, ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, channels and/or ion-conductive or ion-conducting, inparticular lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, planes. Dueto a formation of, for example, molecular, ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, channels and/or planes, for example within theparticles, the ionic bonding of the at least one cathode active materialmay advantageously be optimized, and for example the quantity of polymerelectrolyte used as cathode material binder may be significantlyreduced.

The ion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, channels and/or planes mayhave an extent of, for example, at least several nanometers, inparticular at least several hundred nanometers. Such extents may beachieved by simple polymers, for example homopolymers, for examplepolyethylene oxides, or also by copolymers, for example blockcopolymers.

The ion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, channels and/or planes mayextend in particular between the polymer containing in particularcovalently bound sulfur and the at least one polymer electrolyte and/orthe at least one inorganic ion conductor, and/or between polymersections of the polymer containing in particular covalently boundsulfur.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, channels and/or planes extend continuously through theparticles and/or up to the outer surface of the particles. In this way,the ionic bonding of the cathode active material may advantageously befurther improved, and, for example, high current-capable ion conductionmay be achieved.

For example, the ion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, channels and/or planes mayinclude, for example contain and/or accommodate, the sulfur which is inparticular covalently bound to the polymer, and/or sulfides formedtherefrom, in particular during discharge, for example polysulfides(S_(x) ²⁻) and/or disulfides (S₂ ²⁻) and/or monosulfides (S²⁻), and/oralkali metal ions, for example lithium ions and/or sodium ions, inparticular lithium ions, and/or anions, in particular of the at leastone polymer electrolyte and/or of the at least one inorganic ionconductor, and/or optionally of at least one conducting salt.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting channels, extend along the polymer backbone of thepolymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur and/or of theat least one polymer electrolyte.

For example, the ion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, channels and/or planes may beformed in a zone at a phase boundary between the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur and the at least one polymerelectrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductor, and/or in azone between polymer sections of the polymer containing in particularcovalently bound sulfur.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, channels and/or planes are formed by polar areas of thepolymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur, in particularby the sulfur which is in particular covalently bound to the polymer,and polar areas of the at least one polymer electrolyte. The polar areasof the polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur may beformed in particular by the sulfur which is in particular covalentlybound to the polymer and alkali metal ions (Li⁺), for example lithiumions and/or sodium ions, in particular lithium ions, which, for example,are coordinated with and/or in particular ionically bound to same.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, alkali metal ions, forexample lithium ions and/or sodium ions, in particular lithium ions, arecoordinated with and/or in particular ionically bound to a negativelycharged group Q⁻ and/or an uncharged group Q in the polar areas of theat least one polymer electrolyte. Negatively charged group Q⁻ and/oruncharged group Q may in particular be covalently bound, optionally viaa spacer, to a polymer backbone-forming unit, in particular a polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. In particular, the alkali metal ions, forexample lithium ions and/or sodium ions, in particular lithium ions, maybe bound, in particular ionically, to a negatively charged group Q⁻. Alarge transfer number, for example of 1, may thus advantageously beachieved, and for example overvoltages, for example during dischargingand/or charging, which may result from poor ion conductivity may bereduced or avoided.

The polymer backbone of the polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur, and the polymer backbone, for example polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-, of the at least one polymer electrolyte mayin particular form a structural plane. As a result of the polymer, whichcontains in particular covalently bound sulfur, already being able toprovide mechanical stability, the at least one polymer electrolyte mayadvantageously be easily designed, for example solely withion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductiveand/or lithium ion-conducting, repeating units and/or in the form of ahomopolymer. However, for example to further improve the ion conduction,it is still possible in principle to design the at least one polymerelectrolyte in the form of a copolymer, for example a block copolymer.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one cathode activematerial, in particular the polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur, and the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the atleast one inorganic ion conductor form(s) a lamellar arrangement.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, ion-conductive orion-conducting, in particular lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, lamellar domains are formed by the sulfur which is inparticular covalently bound to the polymer, or by polar areas of thepolymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur and polar areasof the at least one polymer electrolyte.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the polymer backbone ofthe polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur, and thepolymer backbone, for example polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, ofthe at least one polymer electrolyte form a structural lamellar domain.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the ion-conductive orion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, lamellar domains are formed between structural lamellardomains. For example, the ion-conductive or ion-conducting, for examplelithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, lamellar domains andthe structural lamellar domains may be situated in alternation.

The polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur, and the atleast one polymer electrolyte may be mixed at the molecular level, forexample, within the ion-conductive or ion-conducting, for examplelithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, planes, for examplewithin the ion-conductive or ion-conducting, for example lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, lamellar domains.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the polymer of the at least onecathode active material and the at least one polymer electrolyte and/orthe at least one inorganic ion conductor, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur and the at least onepolymer electrolyte, form a biphase continuous network.

A biphase continuous network may be understood in particular to mean anetwork in which two phases, for example A and B, are formed, each ofwhich completely permeates the network, in particular so that noisolated or severed areas of only one phase, for example A or B, arepresent.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the ratio of therepetition number of the repeating units of the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur to the repetition number of the atleast one polymer electrolyte is 1.5:1 to 6:1, for example 2:1 to 5:1,for example approximately 3:1. A high capacity with sufficient ionconduction may advantageously be achieved in this way.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onecathode active material, in particular the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, based on the sum of the volumeoccupied by the at least one cathode active material, in particular thepolymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur, and the volumeoccupied by the at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the volumeoccupied by the at least one inorganic ion conductor, is greater than50% by volume, for example ≥60% by volume, for example ≥70% by volume. Ahigh capacity with sufficient ion conduction may likewise advantageouslybe achieved in this way.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, the at least one polymerelectrolyte is electrically conductive. The electrical bonding of thecathode active material may also advantageously be improved in this way.

The cathode material may be formed, for example, by layer deposition ormolecular layer deposition and/or by Langmuir-Blodgett technology, forexample in which the electrochemically active phase and theion-conducting phase are formed one after the other, for example inalternation, and/or produced by a technology known from block copolymersynthesis processes, for example based on an in particular thermal phaseseparation technology using a solution or suspension, and/or by thermaltreatment of a film and reaction of the film with the at least onecathode active material, and/or by self-organization, for example in thedirection of a lamellar arrangement and/or a bicontinuous network,and/or by crystallization forces during deposition of at least twophases. By use of these technologies, materials may be advantageouslyproduced down to a range of 20 nm to 500 nm by permeation and/orintermixture of two or more components.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the cathode materialalso includes at least one metal sulfide. The at least one metal sulfidemay include or be, for example, at least one transition metal sulfideand/or at least one metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third,fourth, and/or fifth main group, in particular of the periodic table.The at least one metal sulfide may in particular be electrochemicallyactive, in particular within the scope of the electrochemical reactionof the cell for which the cathode material is designed. The at least onemetal sulfide may include in particular at least one metal, for exampleat least one transition metal and/or at least one metal of the third,fourth, and/or fifth main group. In particular, the at least one metalsulfide may contain at least one metal (Mt), for example transitionmetal and/or metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, whichhas a standard electrode potential (Mt⁰/Mt^(x+)) that is more positiveor higher, for example by ≥1 V, than the anode active material or alkalimetal of the cell, for example lithium. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may contain at least one metal (Mt), for example at leastone transition metal and/or at least one metal of the third, fourth,and/or fifth main group, which has a standard electrode potential(Mt⁰/Mt^(x+)) of ≥−2 V in particular with respect to a standard hydrogenelectrode (SHE). For example, niobium may have a standard electrodepotential (Nb⁰/Nb³⁺) of −1.099 V, and thus a potential that is 1.9411 Vmore positive or higher than a lithium anode, compared to the standardelectrode potential (Li⁰/Li⁺) of lithium of −3.0401 V with respect to astandard hydrogen electrode (SHE). Molybdenum, for example in the formof MoS₃ and/or MoS₂, may, for example, have a potential that is up to2.804 V more positive than a lithium anode.

The at least one metal sulfide may include, for example, at least onesulfide anion (S²⁻) and/or at least one disulfide anion (S₂ ²⁻) and/orat least one higher sulfide and/or at least one polysulfide anion and/ora hyperstoichiometric sulfur portion, for example sulfur which is notdirectly connected to metal and/or unbound sulfur and/or unchargedsulfur and/or sulfur having an oxidation number of zero, for examplesulfur incorporated into the crystal structure thereof.

The at least one metal sulfide may also be, for example, a semiconductorsuch as copper(II) sulfide (CuS).

During discharge of the cell, the at least one metal of the at least onemetal sulfide may advantageously be reduced to the elemental or metallicform. In particular, in the charged state the at least one cathodeactive material may therefore include the at least one metal sulfide. Inthe discharged state, the at least one cathode active material may inparticular include the at least one metal of the at least one metalsulfide in metallic form. Due to the reduction of the at least one metalsulfide to a subsulfide and/or at least one metal during the discharge,on the one hand the at least one metal of the at least one metal sulfidemay advantageously contribute to the capacity of the cathode materialand thus to the performance of the cell. On the other hand, the metallicform of the at least one metal of the at least one metal sulfide that isformed may contribute to improved electrical conductivity of the cathodematerial and thus to the performance of the cell. In the oxidized stateof the at least one metal of the at least one metal sulfide, the atleast one metal sulfide may optionally increase the electricalconductivity due to semiconducting properties.

Sulfur and sulfide anion/s (S²⁻) and/or polysulfides possibly formedfrom same, which are released from the at least one metal sulfide, inparticular during reduction of the at least one metal of the at leastone metal sulfide, may react and/or combine with anode material ions oralkali metal ions, for example lithium ions, and form lithium sulfide(Li₂S), lithium disulfide, and/or lithium polysulfide/s, for example, sothat only sulfides are formed and side reactions may be avoided.

In addition, the at least one metal sulfide and/or the at least onemetal of the at least one metal sulfide may advantageously catalyticallyaccelerate the electrochemical reaction, for example during dischargingand/or charging.

If the at least one metal sulfide includes electrochemically activesulfur, in particular which is electrochemically active within the scopeof the electrochemical reaction of the cell for which the cathodematerial is designed, for example at least one disulfide anion (S₂ ²⁻)and/or at least one polysulfide anion and/or a hyperstoichiometricsulfur portion, for example sulfur which is not directly connected tometal and/or unbound sulfur and/or uncharged sulfur and/or sulfur havingan oxidation number of zero, for example sulfur incorporated into thecrystal structure thereof, in addition the electrochemically activesulfur of the at least one metal sulfide may also advantageouslycontribute to the capacity of the cathode material or cell.

For example, the at least one metal sulfide, for example the at leastone transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, may becontained, for example incorporated and/or embedded, in the at least onecathode active material and/or in a polymer that is in particularionically and/or electrically conductive or conducting, for example inthe at least one polymer electrolyte, and/or in some other ionconductor, for example in the at least one inorganic ion conductor. Inparticular, the at least one metal sulfide, for example the at least onetransition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, may beused in combination with a cathode active material.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide, inparticular the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at leastone metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/orfifth main group, is therefore contained, for example incorporatedand/or embedded, in the at least one cathode active material, inparticular in the sulfur-carbon composite, for example in thesulfur-polymer composite, for example in the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, for example SPAN. An in particularshared electrochemically active phase having improved electricalconductivity and/or a catalytically accelerated electrochemicalreaction, for example during discharging and/or charging, mayadvantageously be achieved in this way.

For example, the at least one cathode active material may thereforeinclude a sulfur-carbon composite, for example a sulfur-polymercomposite, for example a polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur, and at least one metal sulfide, in particular the at leastone transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group. A cathodematerial may thus advantageously be provided in which a portion of thesulfur is bound in and/or to the sulfur-carbon composite, for examplethe sulfur-polymer composite, for example the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, for example SPAN, and anotherportion of the sulfur is bound in and/or to the metal sulfide.

In particular, the at least one cathode active material, in particularthe sulfur-carbon composite, for example the sulfur-polymer composite,in particular the polymer containing in particular covalently boundsulfur, for example SPAN, and the at least one metal sulfide, forexample the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at leastone metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/orfifth main group, in particular the at least one transition metalsulfide, may form a (shared) electrochemically active phase. The atleast one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ionconductor may thus form an ion-conducting phase which, for example, maybe present in addition to the electrochemically active phase.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one cathode activematerial, in particular the sulfur-carbon composite, for example thesulfur-polymer composite, for example the polymer containing inparticular covalently bound sulfur, for example SPAN, is homogeneouslyblended and/or mixed with the at least one metal sulfide, in particularthe at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metalsulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth maingroup. For example, the at least one cathode active material, inparticular the sulfur-carbon composite, for example the sulfur-polymercomposite, for example the polymer containing in particular covalentlybound sulfur, and the at least one metal sulfide, for example the atleast one transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfideof at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, maybe present uniformly distributed. The sulfur-carbon composite, forexample the sulfur-polymer composite, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, for example SPAN, aswell as the at least one metal sulfide, in particular transition metalsulfide, contained therein may thus both advantageously contact the atleast one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ionconductor at its boundary surface.

Within the scope of another alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one cathode active material, in particular the sulfur-carboncomposite, for example the sulfur-polymer composite, for example thepolymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur, for exampleSPAN, is enclosed by the at least one metal sulfide, for example the atleast one transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfideof at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group. Forexample, the at least one cathode active material, in particular thesulfur-carbon composite, for example the sulfur-polymer composite, forexample the polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur,for example SPAN, may be coated with the at least one metal sulfide, forexample the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at leastone metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/orfifth main group. The surface conductivity may thus advantageously beimproved, and outward diffusion of polysulfides may optionally becounteracted.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide,for example the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the atleast one metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth,and/or fifth main group, (in sum) constitutes ≥5% by weight to ≤90% byweight, for example ≥25% by weight to ≤50% by weight related to theweight of the at least one cathode active material, in particularsulfur-carbon composite, for example sulfur-polymer composite, forexample the polymer containing in particular covalently bound sulfur,and of the at least one metal sulfide, for example the at least onetransition metal sulfide and/or of the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group.

For example, the at least one metal sulfide, for example the at leastone transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, inparticular the at least one transition metal sulfide, may include or bea simple metal sulfide such as iron(II) sulfide (FeS) and/or copper(II)sulfide (CuS), for example containing one sulfur atom for each metalatom, for example in which all bonds of the sulfur are to the metalatom, and/or a metal sulfide having a more complex structure, forexample in which more than one sulfur atom is bound to each metal atom,for example copper disulfide (CuS₂) and/or patronite (VS₄, V⁴⁺(S₂ ²⁻)₂),and in which optionally part of the sulfur is not directly joined to themetal, but instead, for example, may be incorporated into the crystalstructure, for example a metal sulfide having a hyperstoichiometricsulfur portion, and/or in which more metal atoms than sulfur atoms arecontained, for example copper(I) sulfide (Cu₂S), and/or a metal sulfidehaving a hyperstoichiometric metal portion, such as Ni₉S₈ and/or Ni₃S₂.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide, forexample the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at leastone metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/orfifth main group, in particular the at least one transition metalsulfide, includes electrochemically active sulfur, in particular whichis electrochemically active within the scope of the electrochemicalreaction of the cell for which the cathode material is designed. Forexample, the at least one metal sulfide, for example the at least onetransition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, inparticular the at least one transition metal sulfide, may contain atleast one disulfide anion and/or at least one polysulfide anion and/or ahyperstoichiometric sulfur portion, for example sulfur which is notdirectly connected to metal and/or unbound sulfur and/or unchargedsulfur and/or sulfur having an oxidation number of zero, for examplesulfur incorporated into the crystal structure thereof. In addition, theelectrochemically active sulfur of the at least one metal sulfide mayalso advantageously contribute to the capacity of the cathode materialor cell.

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example the at least one transition metalsulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of at least one metal ofthe third, fourth, and/or fifth main group, in particular the at leastone transition metal sulfide, contains more than one sulfur atom foreach metal atom. For example, the at least one metal sulfide, forexample the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the at leastone metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/orfifth main group, in particular the at least one transition metalsulfide, may include or be a metal disulfide and/or a higher metalsulfide, for example a metal trisulfide and/or a metal tetrasulfideand/or a metal pentasulfide, and/or a metal sulfide having ahyperstoichiometric sulfur portion, for example with sulfur incorporatedinto the crystal structure thereof. Due to the at least one metalsulfide, additional sulfur for the electrochemical reaction and/or forthe catalysis may advantageously be provided in this way.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide,for example the at least one transition metal sulfide and/or the atleast one metal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth,and/or fifth main group, contains more than one metal atom for eachsulfur atom and/or has a hyperstoichiometric metal portion. A higherelectrical conductivity and/or catalytic acceleration may thusadvantageously be achieved.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one metal sulfideincludes or is at least one transition metal sulfide. In particular, theat least one transition metal sulfide may include or be a transitionmetal sulfide containing electrochemically active sulfur and/or atransition metal sulfide containing more than one sulfur atom for eachmetal atom and/or a transition metal sulfide containing more than onemetal atom for each sulfur atom and/or a transition metal sulfide havinga hyperstoichiometric metal portion. By use of transition metalsulfides, it is thus advantageously possible in particular to increasethe capacity of the cathode material or of the cell usingelectrochemically active sulfur, and/or to provide additional sulfur forthe electrochemical reaction and/or for the catalysis, and/or toincrease the electrical conductivity.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfideincludes or is at least one metal sulfide of at least one metal of thethird, fourth, and/or fifth main group. The at least one metal sulfideof at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group mayin particular include or be a metal sulfide of at least one metal of thethird, fourth, and/or fifth main group containing more than one sulfuratom for each metal atom, and/or a metal sulfide of at least one metalof the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group containing more than onemetal atom for each sulfur atom, and/or a metal sulfide of at least onemetal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group having ahyperstoichiometric metal portion. By use of metal sulfides of thethird, fourth, and/or fifth main group, it is thus advantageouslypossible in particular to increase the electrical conductivity and/orachieve catalytic acceleration.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfideincludes or is at least one transition metal sulfide and at least onemetal sulfide of at least one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifthmain group.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfideor transition metal sulfide includes or is a sulfide of iron, copper,cobalt, nickel, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum,tungsten, zinc, manganese, and/or titanium.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide, forexample transition metal sulfide, includes or is (at least) one ironsulfide. For example, the at least one metal sulfide may include or beiron disulfide, or for example the minerals pyrite and/or marcasite(FeS₂), in particular having the valence formula: Fe²⁺S₂ ²⁻, and/oriron(II) sulfide (FeS).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one copper sulfide. For example, the at least one metalsulfide may include or be copper disulfide (CuS₂) and/or an inparticular nonstoichiometric copper sulfide, in particular having ahyperstoichiometric metal portion, for example Cu₉S₈ and/or Cu₇S₄,and/or copper(II) sulfide (CuS) and/or copper(I) sulfide (Cu₂S).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one cobalt sulfide. For example, the at least one metalsulfide may include or be cobalt disulfide, or for example the mineralcattierite (CoS₂), in particular having the valence formula: Co²⁺S₂ ²⁻,and/or an in particular nonstoichiometric cobalt sulfide, in particularhaving a hyperstoichiometric sulfur portion, for example Co₃S₄, and/orhaving a hyperstoichiometric metal portion, for example Co₉S₈, and/orcobalt monosulfide (CoS).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one nickel sulfide. For example, the at least one metalsulfide may include or be nickel disulfide or for example the mineralvaesite (NiS₂) and/or an in particular nonstoichiometric nickel sulfide,in particular having a hyperstoichiometric metal portion, for exampleNi₉S₈ and/or Ni₃S₂, and/or nickel(II) sulfide (NiS).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one vanadium sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be vanadium disulfide (VS₂) and/or a highervanadium sulfide, for example vanadium trisulfide (VS₃) and/or vanadiumtetrasulfide, or for example the mineral patronite (VS₄), for examplehaving the valence formula: V⁴⁺(S₂ ²⁻)₂, for example having atetravalent positive vanadium and two doubly negatively charged S₂ ²⁻ions, and/or vanadium monosulfide (VS) and/or vanadium(III) sulfide(V₂S₃) and/or vanadium(IV) sulfide (VS₂) and/or vanadium(V) sulfide(V₂S₅).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one niobium sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be niobium disulfide (NbS₂) and/or a higherniobium sulfide, for example niobium trisulfide (NbS₃) and/or niobiumtetrasulfide (NbS₄) and/or niobium pentasulfide (NbS₅), and/orniobium(III) sulfide (Nb₂S₃) and/or niobium(V) sulfide (Nb₂S₅).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one tantalum sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be tantalum disulfide (TaS₂) and/or ahigher tantalum sulfide, for example tantalum trisulfide (TaS₃) and/ortantalum tetrasulfide (TaS₄) and/or tantalum pentasulfide (TaS₅), and/ortantalum(III) sulfide (Ta₂S₃) and/or tantalum(V) sulfide (Ta₂S₅).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one chromium sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be chromium trisulfide (CrS₃) and/orchromium(III) sulfide (Cr₂S₃).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one molybdenum sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and/or ahigher molybdenum sulfide, for example molybdenum trisulfide (MoS₃)and/or molybdenum tetrasulfide (MoS₄).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one tungsten sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be tungsten disulfide (WS₂) and/or a highertungsten sulfide, for example tungsten pentasulfide (WS₅) and/ortungsten tetrasulfide (WS₅) [sic; WS₄] and/or tungsten trisulfide (WS₃).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one zinc sulfide. For example, the at least one metalsulfide may include or be zinc(II) sulfide (ZnS).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one manganese sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be manganese(II) sulfide (MnS) and/ormanganese(III) sulfide (Mn₂S₃).

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, the atleast one metal sulfide, for example transition metal sulfide, includesor is (at least) one titanium sulfide. For example, the at least onemetal sulfide may include or be titanium(IV) sulfide (TiS₂).

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfide,for example transition metal sulfide, includes or is a mixed metalsulfide. For example, the mixed metal sulfide may include at least twometals selected from the group made up of titanium, vanadium, chromium,manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, niobium, tantalum,molybdenum, and tungsten.

For example, the at least one metal sulfide may [include or be] a mixedmetal sulfide of the general chemical formula: AB₃S₆ and/or A₂BS₄ and/orA₄B₆S₈, where A stands for nickel (Ni) and/or copper (Cu) and/or iron(Fe) and/or manganese (Mn) and/or cobalt (Co) and B stands for vanadium(V) and/or niobium (Nb) and/or tantalum (Ta) and/or molybdenum (Mo)and/or tungsten (W). For example, the at least one metal sulfide mayinclude or be a mixed metal sulfide of the general chemical formula:AB₃S₆, where A stands for nickel (Ni) and/or copper (Cu) and/or iron(Fe) and/or manganese (Mn) and/or cobalt (Co) and B stands for vanadium(V) and/or niobium (Nb) and/or tantalum (Ta), for example NiNb₃S₆,and/or a mixed metal sulfide of the general chemical formula: A₂BS₄and/or A₄B₆S₈, where A stands for copper (Cu) and/or nickel (Ni) and/oriron (Fe) and B stands for molybdenum (Mo) and/or tungsten (W), forexample Cu₂MoS₄ and/or Cu₄Mo₆S₈.

For example, the at least one metal sulfide, for example transitionmetal sulfide, may be selected from the group made up of FeS, FeS₂, CuS,Cu₂S, CuS₂, Cu₉S₈, Cu₇S₄, CoS, CoS₂, Co₃S₄, Co₉S₈, NiS, NiS₂, Ni₉S₈,Ni₃S₂, VS, VS₂, V₂S₃, V₂S₅, VS₄, NbS₂, NbS₃, NbS₄, NbS₅, Nb₂S₃, Nb₂S₅,TaS₂, TaS₃, TaS₄, TaS₅, Ta₂S₃, Ta₂S₅, Cr₂S₃, CrS₃, MoS₂, MoS₃, MoS₄,WS₂, WS₃, WS₄, WS₅, MnS, Mn₂S₃, TiS₂, NiNb₃S₆, Cu₂MoS₄, and/or Cu₄Mo₆S₈.In particular, the at least one metal sulfide may be selected from thegroup made up of FeS₂, CuS₂, CoS₂, Co₃S₄, NiS₂, VS₂, VS₄, NbS₂, NbS₃,NbS₄, NbS₅, TaS₂, TaS₃, TaS₄, TaS₅, CrS₃, MoS₂, MoS₃, MoS₄, WS₂, WS₃,WS₄, WS₅.

For example, the at least one metal sulfide, in particular transitionmetal sulfide, may include or be a sulfide of iron, for example iron(II)sulfide (FeS) and/or iron disulfide (FeS₂), and/or copper, for examplecopper(II)sulfide (CuS) and/or copper disulfide (CuS₂), and/or chromium,for example chromium(III) sulfide (Cr₂S₃), and/or vanadium, for examplevanadium(III) sulfide (V₂S₃) and/or vanadium(V) sulfide (V₂S₅) and/orpatronite (VS₄), and/or molybdenum, for example molybdenum disulfide(MoS₂) and/or molybdenum(VI) sulfide (MoS₃).

Within the scope of another embodiment, the at least one metal sulfideor metal sulfide of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group includesor is a sulfide of indium, gallium, aluminum, tin, germanium, antimony,and/or bismuth. In particular, the at least one metal sulfide or metalsulfide of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group may include or bea sulfide of indium and/or tin and/or antimony.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the cathode materialalso includes at least one electrically conductive metal compound. Theat least one electrically conductive metal compound may include or be,for example, at least one electrically conducting metal oxide and/or atleast one electrically conducting metal carbide. For example, the atleast one electrically conductive metal oxide may include or be an inparticular doped oxide of tin and/or indium and/or tantalum and/orniobium, for example tin-doped indium oxide and/or tin oxide doped withtantalum, niobium, and/or fluorine. The at least one electricallyconductive metal carbide may include or be, for example, a carbide oftitanium, for example titanium carbide (TiC).

The at least one inorganic ion conductor may in particular be acrystalline ion conductor.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least oneinorganic ion conductor includes or is a sulfidic ion conductor, inparticular a lithium argyrodite and/or a sulfidic glass, and/or an ionconductor, in particular a lithium ion conductor, having a garnet-likestructure, for example a lithium titanate and/or lithium zirconate, forexample a lithium-lanthanum-zirconium garnet, and/or an ion conductor,in particular lithium ion conductor, of the LISICON type and/or theNASICON type and/or lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LIPON).

An ion conductor having a garnet-like crystal structure may beunderstood in particular to mean an ion conductor whose crystalstructure is derivable from the general garnet formula. The generalgarnet formula may be A₃B₂[QO₄]₃, for example, where A, B, and Q standfor different positions in the crystal lattice and may be occupied byone or multiple different ions or elements. For example, A may stand forthe dodecahedral position, B for the octahedral position, and Q for thetetrahedral position.

An ion conductor of the lithium superionic conductor (LISICON) typeand/or NASICON type may, for example, be an ion conductor of the generalformula: Li_(4−x)M_(1−x)M′_(x)S₄(thio-LISICON type), where M stands forSi and/or Ge and/or P, and M′ stands for P and/or Al and/or Zn and/or Gaand/or Sb, for example Li_(4−x)Ge_(1−x)P_(x)S₄ and/orLi_(4−x)Si_(1−x)P_(x)S₄, where 0.5≤x≤0.85, for example x=0.75, and/or ofthe general chemical formula: AB₂(PO₄)₃, where A stands for Li and/or Naand B for Ti and/or Al and/or Zr and/or Ge and/or Hf, for examplelithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP), for exampleLi_(1+x)Al_(x)Ti_(2−x)(PO₄)₃.

For example, the at least one inorganic ion conductor may include or bea sulfidic ion conductor, in particular for lithium ions. Sulfidic ionconductors may advantageously have a large transfer number and highconductivity as well as low contact resistances. Thus, the ioniccontacting of the sulfur-containing cathode active material mayadvantageously be improved and a low polarization transfer voltageachieved by use of sulfidic ion conductors. In addition, due to thelarge transfer numbers, low polarization voltages and thus highperformance of a cell thus equipped may also advantageously be achieved,in particular in the case of high surface current densities duringcharging/discharging. Furthermore, sulfidic ion conductorsadvantageously dissolve virtually no sulfur and virtually nopolysulfides. This has the advantage that (poly)sulfides S_(x) ²⁻ whichoccur during discharge (reduction) of a cell, and which possibly mayotherwise migrate to the anode, for example the lithium anode, andbecome reduced there, thus possibly being removed from theelectrochemical reaction (also referred to as the shuttle mechanism),are better retained in the cathode, and the sulfur utilization and cyclestability may advantageously be improved in this way.

In addition, sulfur-containing cathode materials may advantageously bechemically compatible with sulfidic ion conductors, so that degradationof the cathode material may be minimized, and the service life of thecell may thus be prolonged. In addition, sulfidic ion conductors areadvantageously easily manufacturable.

Sulfidic ion conductors may be used in a particularly advantageousmanner in combination with a sulfur-polymer composite containing sulfurthat is bound, for example covalently and/or ionically, in particularcovalently, since they have virtually no sulfur or polysulfidesolubility, so that going into solution and diffusion of sulfur andpolysulfides from the polymer of the composite, which could possiblyoccur in the case of low-molecular ether compounds and/or conventionalshort-chain polyethers such as pure polyethylene oxide, may becounteracted in this way.

The at least one sulfidic ion conductor may be based on the generalchemical formula: (Li₂S)_(x): (P₂S₅)_(y): D_(z), for example, whereD_(z) stands for one or multiple additives, for example LiCl and/or LiBrand/or LiI and/or LiF and/or Li₂Se and/or Li₂O and/or P₂Se₅ and/or P₂O₅and/or Li₃PO₄ and/or one or multiple sulfides of germanium, boron,aluminum, molybdenum, tungsten, silicon, arsenic, and/or niobium, inparticular germanium, and x, y, and z may in particular stand forcomponent ratios. Sulfidic ion conductors may be synthesized, forexample, from the individual components Li₂S and P₂S₅ and optionally D.The synthesis may optionally be carried out under protective gas.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the at least one sulfidic ionconductor includes or is a lithium argyrodite and/or a sulfidic glass.These ion conductors have proven to be particularly advantageous, sincethey may have a high ion conductivity and low contact resistances at thegrain boundaries within the material and with respect to othercomponents, for example the cathode active material. The long-termstability and performance of a cell equipped with the cathode materialmay advantageously be further improved in this way.

Lithium argyrodites may be understood in particular to mean compoundsthat are derived from the mineral argyrodite of the general chemicalformula: Ag₈GeS₆, where silver (Ag) is replaced by lithium (Li), and inparticular germanium (Ge) and/or sulfur (S) may also be replaced byother elements, for example of main groups III, IV, V, VI, and/or VII.

Examples of lithium argyrodites are the following:

-   -   compounds of the general chemical formula:        Li₇PCh₆        where Ch stands for sulfur (S) and/or oxygen (O) and/or selenium        (Se), for example sulfur (S) and/or selenium (Se), in particular        sulfur (S),    -   compounds of the general chemical formula:        Li₆PCh₅X        where Ch stands for sulfur (S) and/or oxygen (O) and/or selenium        (Se), for example sulfur (S) and/or oxygen (O), in particular        sulfur (S), and X stands for chlorine (Cl) and/or bromine (Br)        and/or iodine (I) and/or fluorine (F), for example X stands for        chlorine (Cl) and/or bromine (Br) and/or iodine (I),    -   compounds of the general chemical formula:        Li_(7−δ)BCh_(6−δ)X_(δ)        where Ch stands for sulfur (S) and/or oxygen (O) and/or selenium        (Se), for example sulfur (S) and/or selenium (Se), in particular        sulfur (S), B stands for phosphorus (P) and/or arsenic (As), X        stands for chlorine (Cl) and/or bromine (Br) and/or iodine (I)        and/or fluorine (F), for example X stands for chlorine (Cl)        and/or bromine (Br) and/or iodine (I), and 0≤δ≤1.

For example, the at least one sulfidic ion conductor may include atleast one lithium argyrodite of the chemical formula: Li₇PS₆, Li₇PSe₆,Li₆PS₅Cl, Li₆PS₅Br, Li₆S₅I, Li_(7−δ)PS_(6−δ)Cl_(δ),Li_(7−δ)PS_(6−δ)Br_(δ), Li_(7−δ)PS_(6−δ)I_(δ), Li_(7−δ)PSe_(6−δ)Cl_(δ),Li_(7−δ)PSe_(6−δ)Br_(δ), Li_(7−δ)PSe_(6−δ)I_(δ),Li_(7−δ)AsS_(6−δ)Br_(δ), Li_(7−δ)AsS_(6−δ)I_(δ), Li₆AsS₅I, Li₆AsSe₅I,Li₆PO₅Cl, Li₆PO₅Br, and/or Li₆PO₅I. Lithium argyrodites are described inthe following publications, for example: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2008,47, 755-758; Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 2010, 636, 1920-1924; Chem. Eur. J.,2010, 16, 2198-2206; Chem. Eur. J., 2010, 16, 5138-5147; Chem. Eur. J.,2010, 16, 8347-8354; Solid State Ionics, 2012, 221, 1-5; Z. Anorg. Allg.Chem., 2011, 637, 1287-1294; and Solid State Ionics, 2013, 243, 45-48.

In particular, the lithium argyrodite may be a sulfidic lithiumargyrodite, for example in which Ch stands for sulfur (S).

Lithium argyrodites may be prepared in particular by amechanical-chemical reaction process, for example in which startingmaterials such as lithium halides, for example LiCl, LiBr, and/or LiI,and/or lithium chalcogenides, for example Li₂S and/or Li₂Se and/or Li₂O,and/or chalcogenides of main group V, for example P₂S₅, P₂Se₅, Li₃PO₄,are ground together in particular in stoichiometric quantities. This maytake place in a ball mill, for example, in particular a high-energy ballmill, for example at a speed of 600 rpm. In particular, the grinding maytake place under a protective gas atmosphere.

For example, the at least one sulfidic ion conductor may include atleast one sulfidic glass of the chemical formula: L₁₀GeP₂Si₂,Li₂S—(GeS₂)—P₂S₅, and/or Li₂S—P₂S₅. For example, the at least onesulfidic ion conductor may include a germanium-containing sulfidicglass, for example L₁₀GeP₂Si₂ and/or Li₂S—(GeS₂)—P₂S₅, in particularL₁₀GeP₂Si₂. Germanium-containing sulfidic lithium ion conductors mayadvantageously have a high lithium ion conductivity and chemicalstability.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, the at least one sulfidic ion conductor includes or is alithium argyrodite. Lithium argyrodites are advantageously characterizedby particularly low contact resistances at the grain boundaries withinthe material and with respect to other components, for example thecathode active material. Particularly good ion conduction mayadvantageously be achieved at and within the grain boundaries. Lithiumargyrodites may also advantageously have a low transfer resistancebetween grains, without a sintering process. This advantageously allowsthe manufacture of the cathode material and of a cell to be simplified.

When at least one polymer electrolyte and at least one inorganic ionconductor are combined, the at least one inorganic ion conductor, forexample sulfidic ion conductor, in particular the ions to be conducted,for example lithium ions, may dissociate and thus [be] provided, wherebythe ion mobility may be increased by the at least one polymerelectrolyte, and the ion conductivity may thus be increased.

For example, the at least one polymer electrolyte may include or be atleast one polymer or polymer electrolyte which includes at least onerepeating unit of the general chemical formula:

and/or at least one (singly or multiply) fluorinated, for exampleperfluorinated, and/or lithium sulfonate-substituted polymer, forexample a perfluoropolyether and/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted, inparticular fluorinated, for example perfluorinated, polyolefin, forexample a tetrafluoroethylene polymer, and/or a lithiumsulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, for exampleperfluorinated, polyether, for example a lithium ion-containing, forexample lithium ion-exchanged, Nafion, and/or a lithiumsulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, for exampleperfluorinated, polyphenylene.

The at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer mayinclude or be, for example, a homopolymer and/or a copolymer, forexample a block copolymer, optionally a multiblock copolymer, and/or analternating copolymer and/or a statistical copolymer, and/or a polymermixture, for example of one or multiple homopolymers and/or one ormultiple copolymers, for example a homopolymer-copolymer mixture.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer includes a polyalkyleneoxide and/or a polymer containing at least one alkylene oxide group, inparticular oligoalkylene oxide group. The ion mobility and thus the ionconductivity may advantageously be increased by use of alkylene oxideunits or groups. However, such polymers are only ion-conductive, inparticular lithium ion-conductive, and should be used in combination,for example in a mixture, with at least one alkali metal salt, forexample alkali metal conducting salt, in particular lithium salt, forexample lithium conducting salt.

For example, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer may include a polyethylene oxide (PEO) and/or propylene oxideand/or a polymer containing at least one ethylene oxide group and/orpropylene oxide group, for example oligoethylene oxide group and/oroligopropylene oxide group. In particular, the at least one polymerelectrolyte may include a polyethylene oxide and/or a polymer containingat least one ethylene oxide group, in particular oligoethylene oxidegroup.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit of the general chemicalformula:

In this regard, -[A]- stands for a unit which forms a polymer backbone.X stands for a spacer, in particular a spacer that is bound, for examplecovalently, to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-. x stands for thenumber, in particular the presence or the absence, of spacer X. x may inparticular be 1 or 0, for example 1. A spacer X may be present inparticular in the case x=1. In the case x=0, in particular no spacer maybe present. Q stands for a group that is bound, in particularcovalently, to spacer X (in the case x=1) or to polymer backbone -[A]-(in the case x=0). In particular, group Q may be bound to polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- via spacer X. In the case x=1 (presence ofthe spacer), group Q, for example uncharged group Q or positivelycharged groups Q⁺ or negatively charged group Q⁻ described below, may inparticular be bound to spacer X. In the case x=0 (absence of thespacer), group Q, for example uncharged group Q or positively chargedgroups Q⁺ or negatively charged group Q⁻, discussed below may inparticular be bound directly to polymer backbone -[A]-. Such polymersmay advantageously have an ion conductivity, for example a lithium ionconductivity, in particular as a function of the temperature, of ≥10⁻⁵S/cm, possibly even ≥10⁻⁴ S/cm, and advantageously used as binders aswell as ion conductors, for example lithium ion conductors. The polymeror the polymer electrolyte in particular may also be referred to as acathode electrolyte or catholyte. Increased mechanical stability mayadvantageously be achieved due to the binder properties. Such polymersor polymer electrolytes may be employed or used in a particularlyadvantageous manner in alkali metal-sulfur cells, for examplelithium-sulfur cells and/or sodium-sulfur cells, in particularlithium-sulfur cells, for example containing a sulfur-carbon composite,for example a sulfur-polymer composite, in particular a polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, for example asulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, in particular SPAN, as cathodeactive material. Due to the bonding of group Q, for example Q or Q⁺ orQ⁻, and optionally the spacer, to polymer-forming unit -[A]-, and thusthe localization of group Q and optionally spacer X, and in particulardue to the increased viscosity compared to liquid electrolytes and/or inparticular also a reduced polysulfide solubility of the polymer orpolymer electrolyte, in particular compared to polyethylene oxide (PEO),(poly)sulfides may be retained in the vicinity of the carbon of thecomposite, and for example going into solution and in particulardiffusion of polysulfides from the carbon of the composite, which couldpossibly occur in the case of low-molecular ether compounds and/orconventional short-chain polyethers such as pure polyethylene oxide, maybe counteracted, and improved calendrical stability and/or improvedenergy density preservation may thus be advantageously be achieved

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, Q standsfor a negatively charged group Q⁻, for example a negatively charged sidegroup Q⁻, and a counterion Z⁺. In particular, negatively charged groupQ⁻ may be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- via spacer X.Negatively charged group Q⁻ may, for example, stand for a group based ona conducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion,for example a sulfonylimide group, for example atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or aperfluoroethanesulfonylimide group (PFSI⁻: F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂) and/or afluorosulfonylimide group (FSI: F—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—), and/or for a groupbased on an anion of an ionic liquid, for example a pyrazolide group oran imidazolide group, and/or for a sulfonate group, for example a(single) sulfonate group or a trifluoromethanesulfonate group (triflate:⁻SO₃CF₂—), and/or for a sulfate group and/or for a carboxylate groupand/or for a group based on a phosphoric acid-based anion, in particulara phosphate group, and/or for a group based on an anion of an imide, inparticular a sulfonylimide group, for example atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or aperfluoroethanesulfonylimide group (PFSI⁻: F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or afluorosulfonylimide group (FSI: F—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—), and/or for a groupbased on an anion of an amide, in particular a group based on an anionof a secondary amide (—R—NHR), and/or for a group based on an anion of acarboxylic acid amide, in particular a group based on an anion of asecondary carboxylic acid amide (—CO—NHR). For example, a cation Z⁺, inparticular a metal cation, for example a lithium ion and/or a sodiumion, in particular lithium, may be contained as a counterion of Q⁻. Inparticular alkali metal ions, in particular lithium ions, may becoordinated or solvated by a negatively charged group Q⁻. A largetransfer number close to 1 may result, in particular due to the covalentbonding of negatively charged group Q⁻ to polymer backbone-forming unit-[A]-. Increased mobility of alkali ions, in particular lithium ions,may thus optionally be achieved. In addition, the dielectric constantmay also advantageously be increased in this way, which may have apositive influence on the polysulfide solubility, in particular in sucha way that the polysulfide solubility is reduced, which may have aparticularly advantageous effect in particular for sulfur-carboncomposites, for example sulfur-polymer composites and/or carbonmodification composites, in particular sulfur-polymer compositescontaining sulfur which is, for example, covalently and/or ionically, inparticular covalently, bound to the polymer of the composite, forexample sulfur-polyacrylonitrile composites, in particular SPAN. Inaddition, polymers which contain a negatively charged group Q⁻ and acounterion Z⁺, for example a lithium ion Li⁺ and/or a sodium ion Na⁺, inparticular a lithium ion Li⁺, may already have a sufficient ionconductivity, in particular lithium ion conductivity, due to counterionZ⁺. Polymers or polymer electrolytes which contain a negatively chargedgroup Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, for example a lithium ion Li⁺ and/or asodium ion Na⁺, in particular a lithium ion Li⁺, may therefore be usedwithout adding an alkali metal conducting salt, for example a lithiumconducting salt, or may be ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conducting. However, polymers containing a negatively charged groupQ and a counterion Z⁺, for example a lithium ion Li⁺, in combination,for example in a mixture, with at least one alkali metal salt, inparticular a lithium salt, for example a lithium conducting salt, maystill be used, for example, for reducing the glass transitiontemperature and/or for increasing the ion mobility and the ionconductivity, in particular the lithium ion conductivity. Polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X may also optionally beoptimized with regard to other properties.

Within the scope of one, in particular alternative or additional,embodiment of this specific embodiment, Q stands for a positivelycharged group Q⁺, for example a positively charged side group Q⁺, and acounterion Z⁻. In particular, positively charged group Q⁺ may be boundto polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- via spacer X. Positively chargedgroup Q⁺ may, for example, stand for a group based on a cation of anionic liquid. In particular a counterion or anion Z⁻ may be contained asa counterion with respect to the positive charge of Q⁺. For example, allcommon counterions of known conducting salts, for example for lithiumcells, may be used as counterion Z⁻. In particular, Z⁻ may thereforestand for an anion, in particular a conducting salt anion. Due to apositively charged group Q⁺, in particular anions of conducting salts,in particular lithium conducting salt anions, may be coordinated orsolvated, and in particular the dissociation of the conducting salt, inparticular lithium conducting salt, may be increased. In turn, thetransfer number, in particular due to the covalent bonding of positivelycharged group Q⁺ to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, and optionallythe mobility of the alkali ions, in particular lithium ions, of theconducting salt, and thus the ion conductivity, in particular thelithium ion conductivity, of the polymer or polymer electrolyte maylikewise advantageously be increased. In addition, the dielectricconstant may also advantageously be increased, which may have a positiveinfluence on the polysulfide solubility, in particular in such a waythat the polysulfide solubility is reduced, which may have aparticularly advantageous effect in particular for sulfur-carboncomposites, for example sulfur-polymer composites and/or carbonmodification composites, for example sulfur-polymer compositescontaining sulfur which is, for example, covalently and/or ionically, inparticular covalently, bound to the polymer of the composite, forexample sulfur-polyacrylonitrile composites, for example SPAN. Polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X may also optionally beoptimized with regard to other properties. In particular, polymers whichinclude a positively charged group Q⁺ in combination, for example in amixture, with at least one alkali metal salt, for example an alkalimetal conducting salt, in particular a lithium salt, for example alithium conducting salt, may be used.

Within the scope of one, in particular alternative or additional,embodiment of this specific embodiment, Q stands for an uncharged groupQ, for example an uncharged functional side group which is capable ofcoordinating or solvating alkali ions, in particular lithium ions (Li⁺).In particular, uncharged group Q may be bound to polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- via spacer X. Uncharged group Q may, forexample, stand for a group that is derivable from an electrolytesolvent. Due to an uncharged group Q, alkali metal ions, in particularlithium ions, may advantageously be coordinated or solvated. Themobility of the alkali ions, for example lithium ions, in particular dueto introducing the group which is derivable from an electrolyte solvent,and thus the ion conductivity, in particular the lithium ionconductivity, may thus advantageously be increased. Polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X may optionally be optimizedwith regard to other properties. Polymers which bear only unchargedgroups Q and which in particular bear no bound charges, for examplealkali ions, in particular lithium ions, may initially be solelyion-conductive, for example lithium ion-conductive, and may becomeion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conducting, for example byadding an alkali metal salt, for example an alkali metal conductingsalt, in particular a lithium salt, for example by mixing with an alkalimetal salt, for example an alkali metal conducting salt, in particular alithium salt, and in particular by solvating the salt. In particular,polymers which contain an uncharged group Q in combination, for examplein a mixture, with at least one alkali metal salt, for example an alkalimetal conducting salt, in particular a lithium salt, for example alithium conducting salt, may therefore be used.

Overall, the dissociation of alkali metal ions, for example lithiumions, from inorganic ion conductors and/or optionally from a conductingsalt may advantageously be promoted, or the coordination between analkali ion, in particular a lithium ion, and the inorganic ion conductorand/or optionally a conducting salt may be weakened, by group Q, forexample Q or Q⁺ or Q⁻. The transfer number and/or the mobility of theions, for example lithium ions, and thus the ion conductivity, inparticular the lithium ion conductivity, may thus advantageously beinfluenced and/or increased. In the case of Q⁻, very large transfernumbers may advantageously be achieved, as the result of which, inparticular in the case of high surface current densities duringcharging/discharging, low polarization voltages and thus highperformance of a cell thus equipped may be achieved. Due to group Qbeing directly or indirectly bound to polymer backbone -[A]-, it isadvantageously possible, compared to mixtures of analogous polymers andanalogous groups Q which, however, are free or unbound, to achievelocalization of group Q, for example Q or Q⁺ or Q⁻. Due to localizationof group Q, for example Q or Q⁺ or Q⁻, outward diffusion of group Q and,for example, other possibly accompanying side reactions, for exampleswelling of the separator and/or of an anode protective layer and/ordegradation of the anode, which could occur, for example, in the case oflow-molecular ether compounds, may advantageously be prevented, and themechanical stability and the binder function, for example, may beimproved. Furthermore, such polymers may have a very low vapor pressurecompared to liquid electrolytes, which allows a cell thus equipped toreliably operate at higher operating temperatures. In addition, furtherproperties, such as the glass transition temperature and/or otherproperties of the polymer or polymer electrolyte, may alsoadvantageously be set due to spacer X, for example due to the type ofspacer and/or the length of the spacer, and/or polymer backbone-formingunit -[A]-, for example due to the type of polymer backbone-formingunit/s -[A]- and its/their design. In particular the glass transitiontemperature and/or the mechanical properties of the polymer or polymerelectrolyte may advantageously be set due to spacer X. Polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- may optionally be optimized with regard toother properties, for example mechanical properties.

Overall, the manufacture and the design of alkali metal-sulfur cells,for example lithium-sulfur cells and/or sodium-sulfur cells, inparticular lithium-sulfur cells, for example lithium-SPAN cells, maythus be advantageously simplified, or their capacity or cycle stability,service life, and reliability may be increased.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, the atleast one polymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer includes or isa copolymer, for example a block copolymer, for example a multiblockcopolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer and/or a statisticalcopolymer, and/or a polymer mixture and/or a homopolymer, which includesat least one repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

If Q includes a negatively charged group Q⁻, the polymer or the polymerelectrolyte may contain, for example, a repeating unit of the generalchemical formula:

Counterion Z⁺ may in particular stand for an alkali ion, for example alithium ion and/or sodium ion, in particular a lithium ion (Li⁺). Due tothe negative charge of group Q⁻, for example a sulfonate group, lithium(Li⁺), for example, may advantageously directly be the counterion withrespect to the negative charge of group Q⁻, for example a sulfonategroup, and in particular may provide ion conductivity. Admixture ofconducting salt may thus advantageously be dispensed with. Inparticular, Z⁺ may therefore stand for a lithium ion (Li⁺).

Negatively charged group Q⁻ may, for example, stand for a group based ona conducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion,for example a sulfonylimide group, for example atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or aperfluoroethanesulfonylimide group (PFSI⁻: F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or afluorosulfonylimide group (FSI: F—SO₂—(N⁻)SO₂—), and/or for a groupbased on an anion of an ionic liquid, for example a pyrazolide group oran imidazolide group, and/or for a sulfonate group, for example a(single) sulfonate group or a trifluoromethanesulfonate group (triflate,⁻SO₃CF₂—), and/or for a sulfate group and/or for a carboxylate groupand/or for a group based on a phosphoric acid-based anion, in particulara phosphate group, and/or for a group based on an anion of an imide, inparticular a sulfonylimide group, for example atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or aperfluoroethanesulfonylimide group (PFSI⁻: F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/or afluorosulfonylimide group (FSI: F—SO₂—(N⁻)SO₂—), and/or for a groupbased on an anion of an amide, in particular a group based on an anionof a secondary amide (—R—NHR), and/or for a group based on an anion of acarboxylic acid amide, in particular a group based on an anion of asecondary carboxylic acid amide (—CO—NHR). In particular alkali metalions, in particular lithium ions, may be coordinated or solvated by anegatively charged group Q⁻. A large transfer number close to 1 may thusresult, in particular due to the covalent bonding of negatively chargedgroup Q⁻ to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-. In addition, thedielectric constant may thus advantageously be increased, which may havea positive influence on the polysulfide solubility, in particular insuch a way that the polysulfide solubility is reduced, which, asexplained in particular for sulfur-carbon composites, for examplesulfur-polymer composites and/or carbon modification composites, inparticular sulfur-polymer composites containing sulfur which is, forexample, covalently and/or ionically, in particular covalently, bound tothe polymer of the composite, for example sulfur-polyacrylonitrilecomposites, in particular SPAN, may have a particularly advantageouseffect.

Within the scope of one particular specific embodiment, negativelycharged group Q⁻ therefore stands for a group based on a lithiumconducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion,and/or for a group based on an anion of an ionic liquid and/or for asulfonate group and/or for a sulfate group and/or for a carboxylategroup and/or for a group based on a phosphoric acid-based anion and/orfor a group based on an anion of an imide and/or for a group based on ananion of an amide and/or for a group based on an anion of a carboxylicacid amide.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment,negatively charged group Q stands for a sulfonylimide group, inparticular a trifluoromethanesulfonylimide group (F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—)and/or a perfluoroethanesulfonylimide group (F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—) and/ora fluorosulfonylimide group (F—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—), in particular atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group, and/or for a sulfonate group, inparticular a (single) sulfonate group and/or for atrifluoromethanesulfonate group. For example, negatively charged groupQ⁻ may stand for a trifluoromethanesulfonylimide group or aperfluoroethanesulfonylimide group or a fluorosulfonylimide group or asulfonate group or a trifluoromethanesulfonate group. Within the scopeof one particular embodiment, negatively charged group Q may stand for asulfonate group or a sulfonylimide group, in particular a sulfonategroup. By use of a sulfonylimide group or a sulfonate group, inparticular a sulfonylimide group, coordination of cations, in particularlithium ions, which is comparatively weak, and which thus increases theion mobility, in particular lithium ion mobility, and ion conductivity,in particular lithium ion conductivity, may advantageously be achieved.Z⁺ may in particular stand for a lithium ion.

In particular, negatively charged group Q⁻ may stand for a benzene groupwhich is substituted with at least one group based on a conducting saltanion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion, in particular withat least one sulfonylimide group (a benzenesulfonylimide group, forexample a lithium benzenesulfonylimide group), and/or with at least onegroup based on an anion of an ionic liquid and/or with at least onesulfonate group (a benzenesulfonate group, for example a lithiumbenzenesulfonate group) and/or with at least one sulfate group and/orwith at least one carboxylate group and/or with at least one group basedon a phosphoric acid-based anion, in particular at least one phosphategroup, and/or with at least one group based on an anion of an imideand/or with at least one group based on an anion of an amide and/or withat least one group based on an anion of a carboxylic acid amide. Forexample, negatively charged group Q⁻ may stand for a benzene group whichis substituted with at least one trifluoromethanesulfonylimide groupand/or with at least one perfluoroethanesulfonylimide group and/or withat least one fluorosulfonylimide group, in particular at least onetrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group. Within the scope of one embodiment,Q⁻ stands for a benzenesulfonate group or a benzenesulfonylimide group,in particular a benzenesulfonate group. A benzene group advantageouslyallows a group, for example a sulfonate, to easily bind to variouspolymer backbones. In addition, a benzene group provides the option foreasily binding further substituents which increase the ion conductivity,such as multiple groups, for example sulfonate groups, and/or one ormultiple alkylene oxide group/s. A polymer containing a benzene groupthat is in particular functionalized in this way may advantageouslyeasily be formed by polymerization of the double bond of a styrene thatis in particular functionalized in this way, for example4-(styrenesulfonyl) (trifluoromethansulfonyl)imide, or a styrene that isfunctionalized with the above-mentioned anionic groups. The linkage ofthe anionic function to a polymer backbone may also take place, forexample, via a functional group in the para position with respect to theanionic group in an aromatic six-membered carbon ring. In addition, anaromatic six-membered carbon ring provides the option for easily bindingfurther substituents which increase the ion conductivity.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, negatively charged group Q⁻ therefore stands for abenzenesulfonylimide group, for example a para- and/or ortho- and/ormeta-benzenesulfonylimide group, for example a para-benzenesulfonylimidegroup, and/or for a benzenesulfonate group, for example abenzenesulfonate group, for example a para- and/or ortho- and/ormeta-benzenesulfonate group, for example a para-benzenesulfonate group.Benzenesulfonylimide groups and/or benzenesulfonate groups, for examplea para-, ortho-, and/or meta-benzenesulfonylimide group and/or a para-,ortho-, and/or meta-benzenesulfonate group, in particular apara-benzenesulfonylimide group and/or a para-benzenesulfonate group,may be particularly advantageous as explained above.

Such polymers, in particular as a lithium ion-conductive electrolyte,for example a solid electrolyte, may be employed or used in aparticularly advantageous manner in a cathode material, for examplecontaining a sulfur-carbon composite, for example a composite made of anin particular electrically conductive polymer and sulfur, in particulara sulfur-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite, for example SPAN, as cathodeactive material, for example in a lithium-sulfur cell.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, Q⁻ stands for a sulfonylimide group, for example abenzenesulfonylimide group. By use of the weak anion, coordination ofcations, in particular lithium ions, which is comparatively weak andwhich thus increases the ion mobility, in particular lithium ionmobility, and ion conductivity, in particular lithium ion conductivity,may thus advantageously be achieved.

Within the scope of another particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, Q⁻ stands for a sulfonate group, for example abenzenesulfonate group.

If Q includes a positively charged group Q⁺, the at least one polymerelectrolyte or the at least one polymer may contain, for example, arepeating unit of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another particular specific embodiment, positivelycharged group Q⁺ therefore stands for a group based on a cation of anionic liquid, in particular a pyridinium group or an in particularquaternary ammonium group or an imidazolium group or a piperidiniumgroup or a pyrrolidinium group or an in particular phosphonium group ora guanidinium group or a morpholinium group or a uronium group or athiouronium group. For example, all common counterions of known lithiumsalts, in particular lithium conducting salts, may be used as counterionZ. In particular, Z⁻ may therefore stand for an anion, in particular alithium conducting salt anion. Groups Q⁺ based on a cation of an ionicliquid, in particular pyridinium groups, ammonium groups, imidazoliumgroups, piperidinium groups, pyrrolidinium groups, phosphonium groups,guanidinium groups, morpholinium groups, uronium groups, and/orthiouronium groups, may advantageously increase the dissociation ofalkali ions, in particular lithium ions, and thus the ion conductivity,in particular the lithium ion conductivity, and the dielectric constantmay be increased and the polysulfide solubility may thus be reduced.

A pyridinium group may be understood in particular to mean an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted group that is derivable frompyridinium. An ammonium group may be understood in particular to mean agroup, in particular a quaternary ammonium group, that is derivable fromammonium. An imidazolium group may be understood in particular to meanan in particular substituted or unsubstituted group that is derivablefrom imidazolium. A piperidinium group may be understood in particularto mean an in particular substituted or unsubstituted group that isderivable from piperidinium. A pyrrolidinium group may be understood inparticular to mean an in particular substituted or unsubstituted groupthat is derivable from pyrrolidinium. A phosphonium group may beunderstood in particular to mean a group, in particular a quaternaryphosphonium group, that is derivable from phosphonium. A guanidiniumgroup may be understood in particular to mean an in particularsubstituted or unsubstituted group that is derivable from guanidinium. Amorpholinium group may be understood in particular to mean an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted group that is derivable frommorpholinium. A uronium group may be understood in particular to mean anin particular substituted or unsubstituted group that is derivable fromuronium. A thiouronium group may be understood in particular to mean anin particular substituted or unsubstituted group that is derivable fromthiouronium.

For example, positively charged group Q⁺ may stand for a pyridiniumgroup or an in particular quaternary ammonium group or an imidazoliumgroup or a piperidinium group or a pyrrolidinium group or an inparticular quaternary phosphonium group or a guanidinium group or amorpholinium group or a uronium group or a thiouronium group whoseproton/s is/are substituted by a substituent.

In particular, positively charged group Q⁺ may stand for a pyridiniumgroup or an in particular quaternary ammonium group or an imidazoliumgroup or a piperidinium group or a pyrrolidinium group or an inparticular quaternary phosphonium group. For example, Q⁺ may stand foran in particular quaternary ammonium group or an imidazolium group or apyridinium group. The ion conductivity and the dielectric constant maythus advantageously be increased in a comparatively simple way.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, Z⁻stands for a lithium conducting salt anion. Dissociation of a lithiumconducting salt may thus advantageously be increased, and the mobilityof the lithium ions of the lithium conducting salt and thus the lithiumion conductivity may also be increased in this way.

For example, Z⁻ may stand for perchlorate (ClO₄ ⁻), tetrafluoroborate(BF₄ ⁻), trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate⁻, F₃CSO₃ ⁻),bisoxalatoborate (BOB⁻:

hexafluorophosphate (PF₆ ⁻), bromide (Br⁻), iodide (I⁻), or chloride(Cl⁻), (bis)trifluoromethanesulfonylimide (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—CF₃),or difluorooxalatoborate (DFOB⁻:

These anions are often used as a lithium conducting salt anion. Theseanions may therefore be used in a particularly advantageous manner forsolvating lithium conducting salts.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, Z⁻therefore stands for perchlorate and/or trifluoromethanesulfonate and/ortetrafluoroborate and/or bisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate,and/or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/orbis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and/or bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, inparticular bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and/ordifluorooxalatoborate (⁻DFOB) and/or bromide and/or iodide and/orchloride. In particular, Z⁻ may stand forbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/orbis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and/or bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, inparticular bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide,trifluoromethanesulfonate, and/or tetrafluoroborate, and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or difluorooxalatoborate (⁻DFOB), and/or bromideand/or iodide and/or chloride. Higher thermal stability mayadvantageously be achieved in this way.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, Z⁻ stands forbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻: F₃C—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—CF₃) and/orbis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide (BETI⁻: F₅C₂—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—C₂F₅) and/orbis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI: F—SO₂—(N⁻)—SO₂—F), in particularbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or trifluoromethanesulfonate(triflate, SO₃—CF₃). By use of the large, weak anionsbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/orbis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and/or bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate, in particularbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻), coordination of cations, inparticular lithium ions, which is comparatively weak, and which thusincreases the ion mobility, in particular lithium ion mobility, and ionconductivity, in particular lithium ion conductivity, may advantageouslybe achieved, and for example the solubility of conducting salts in thepolymer or polymer electrolyte and also optionally the thermal stabilitymay be improved.

Such polymers or polymer electrolytes, in particular as lithiumion-conductive electrolyte, for example solid electrolyte, may beemployed or used in a particularly advantageous manner in a cathodematerial, for example containing sulfur-carbon composite, for example acomposite made of an in particular electrically conductive polymer andsulfur, in particular containing a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile (PAN)composite, for example SPAN, as cathode active material, for example ina lithium-sulfur cell.

If Q is a neutral group, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer may contain, for example, a repeating unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

Due to an uncharged group Q, the alkali ions, in particular lithiumions, may advantageously be coordinated or solvated by conducting salts,for example alkali salts, in particular lithium conducting salts, andthe mobility of the alkali ions, for example lithium ions, and thus theion conductivity, in particular the lithium ion conductivity, of thepolymer or polymer electrolyte may thus be increased. This may befacilitated, for example, by the selection of spacer X.

Within the scope of another particular specific embodiment, unchargedgroup Q stands for a group that is derivable in particular from anelectrolyte solvent, for example a cyclic carbonate group or an inparticular cyclic lactone group or a cyclic carbamate group or anacyclic carbonate group or an acyclic carboxylic acid ester group or anacyclic carbamate group or an alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group. A cyclic carbonate group or lactone group orcyclic carbamate group or acyclic carbonate group or acyclic carboxylicacid ester group or acyclic carbamate group or alkylene oxide group, forexample an oligoalkylene oxide group, may be advantageous, since themobility of alkali ions, for example lithium ions, and thus the ionconductivity, in particular the lithium ion conductivity, of the polymeror polymer electrolyte may advantageously be increased in this way.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, Q stands for an alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group. It is thus advantageously possible to reducethe glass [transition] temperature and/or increase the lithium ionconductivity.

Within the scope of another embodiment of this specific embodiment,uncharged group Q stands for a cyclic carbonate group or a lactone groupor a cyclic carbamate group or an acyclic carbonate group or an acycliccarboxylic acid ester group or an acyclic carbamate group. Due to thehigh polarity of these groups, they may advantageously increase the iondissociation and the dielectric constant of the polymer or polymerelectrolyte, and thus advantageously reduce the polysulfide solubility,which may be particularly advantageous, in particular forsulfur-polyacrylonitrile composites such as SPAN.

Within the scope of another embodiment of this specific embodiment,uncharged group Q stands for an in particular cyclic or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, for example a lactone group, or an inparticular cyclic or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group. Due to thehigh polarity of these groups, they may advantageously increase thedielectric constant of the polymer or polymer electrolyte and thusadvantageously reduce the polysulfide solubility, which may beparticularly advantageous, in particular for sulfur-polyacrylonitrilecomposites such as SPAN.

Within the scope of another embodiment of this specific embodiment, thein particular uncharged group Q stands for a cyclic carbonate group or alactone group or a carbamate group, in particular a cyclic carbamategroup or an acyclic carbamate group. In particular, Q may stand for acyclic carbonate group or an in particular cyclic lactone group or acyclic carbamate group. Cyclic carbonate groups, lactone groups, and/orcyclic carbamate groups may be particularly advantageous for increasingthe overall ion conductivity of the polymer.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, Q stands for a cyclic carbonate group, for example whichforms a five-membered ring or a six-membered ring or a seven-memberedring, in particular a five-membered ring. Within the scope of anotherparticular embodiment of this specific embodiment, Q stands for alactone group, for example which forms a five-membered ring or asix-membered ring or a seven-membered ring, in particular afive-membered ring. Within the scope of another particular embodiment ofthis specific embodiment, Q stands for a cyclic carbamate group, forexample which forms a five-membered ring or a six-membered ring or aseven-membered ring, in particular a five-membered ring. Within thescope of another particular embodiment of this specific embodiment, Qstands for an acyclic carbamate group.

Within the scope of another particular specific embodiment, Q stands forhydrogen or an alkyl group, in particular a methyl group or an ethylgroup.

Such polymers or polymer electrolytes, in particular as a lithiumion-conductive electrolyte, for example a solid electrolyte, may beemployed or used in a particularly advantageous manner as cathode activematerial in a cathode material, for example containing a sulfur-carboncomposite, for example a composite made of an in particular electricallyconductive polymer and sulfur, in particular a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile(PAN) composite, for example SPAN, for example in a lithium-sulfur cell.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the cathode material orthe at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer alsoincludes at least one conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt. The ion conductivity, in particular the lithium ionconductivity, may thus optionally be further increased. Depending on thepolymer, a small admixture of a conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt, may be advantageous, despite a large transfer number,in order to reduce the glass transition temperature of the polymer andthus increase the overall mobility of the lithium ions in the system,which, however, may occur at the expense of a reduction of the transfernumber. Ideally, in this case a conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt, whose anion interacts well with group Q may be used.For example, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) may beused when there is a sulfonylimide group.

The at least one conducting salt may, for example, be a lithiumconducting salt or a sodium conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt. Common lithium conducting salts may be used as lithiumconducting salt. For example, the at least one lithium conducting saltmay include or be lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) and/or lithiumbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and/or lithiumbisoxalatoborate (LiBOB) and/or trifluoromethanesulfonate (Li triflate)and/or lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) and/or lithium difluorooxalatoborate(LiDFOB) and/or lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) and/or lithium bromide(LiBr) and/or lithium iodide (LiI) and/or lithium chloride (LiCl). AnionZ⁻ and the anion of the at least one lithium conducting salt may bedifferent or identical.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, theanion of the at least one conducting salt, in particular lithiumconducting salt, and Z⁻ or Q⁻ are selected from the same anion class,for example the sulfonylimides, for exampletrifluoromethanesulfonylimide and/or pentafluoroethanesulfonylimideand/or fluorosulfonylimide, in particular trifluoromethanesulfonylimide.Undesirable side reactions may thus advantageously be avoided, and inparticular the anion of the at least one conducting salt and Z⁻ or Q⁻alkali ions, in particular lithium ions, may be strongly coordinated ina similar manner, for example identically, which may have anadvantageous effect on the ion mobility.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte includes at least one in particular ion-conductiveor ion-conducting, for example lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting, polymer which includes at least one repeating unit ofthe general chemical formula:

where Q stands for a negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, inparticular a lithium ion, and/orspacer X includes at least one, optionally additional, negativelycharged group Q⁻, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, inparticular a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid and/or a sulfonate group, in particular at least onesulfonylimide group and/or at least one sulfonate group, and acounterion Z⁺, for example an alkali ion, in particular a lithium ion.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte includes at least onein particular ion-conductive or ion-conducting, for example lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, polymer which includes atleast one repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

where Q stands for a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻,and/or spacer X includes at least one, optionally additional, positivelycharged group Q⁺, in particular based on a cation of an ionic liquid,for example at least one ammonium ion group and/or at least onepyridinium group and/or at least one imidazolium group and/or at leastone piperidinium group and/or at least one pyrrolidinium group and/or atleast one phosphonium group and/or at least one guanidinium group and/orat least one morpholinium group and/or at least one uronium group and/orat least one thiouronium group, and a counterion Z, for example aconducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion.The ion dissociation, for example of the conducting salt and/orinorganic ion conductor, and thus the ion conductivity, mayadvantageously be increased by use of positively charged groups Q⁺.However, such polymers are only ion-conductive, in particular lithiumion-conductive, and should be used in combination, for example in amixture, with at least one conducting salt, in particular lithiumconducting salt.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte includes at least onein particular ion-conductive or ion-conducting, for example lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, polymer, the at least onepolymer including a polyalkylene oxide, for example polyethylene oxide,and/or a polymer containing at least one alkylene oxide group, forexample ethylene oxide group, in particular oligoalkylene oxide group,for example oligoethylene oxide group, and/or at least one repeatingunit of the general chemical formula:

where Q stands for an uncharged group Q, in particular an alkylene oxidegroup, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example anethylene oxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, and/orspacer X includes at least one alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group, forexample an oligoethylene oxide group, and/orpolymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- includes an alkylene oxide unit, forexample an oligoalkylene oxide unit, in particular an ethylene oxideunit, for example an oligoethylene oxide unit. The cathode material mayinclude in particular at least one conducting salt, in particularlithium conducting salt. The ion mobility and thus the ion conductivitymay advantageously be increased by use of alkylene oxide units or groupsand/or uncharged groups Q. However, such polymers are onlyion-conductive, in particular lithium ion-conductive, and should be usedin combination, for example in a mixture, with at least one conductingsalt, in particular lithium conducting salt.

Within the scope of one particular specific embodiment, Q stands for anegatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, or Q stands for apositively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻. This has proven to beparticularly advantageous, since the ion dissociation may be increasedand the polysulfide solubility may be reduced in this way. Repeatingunits which include a negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺and/or which include a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻may [be used] in a particularly advantageous manner in combination withuncharged, ion-conductive or ion-conducting, groups, for examplealkylene oxide groups and/or cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate groupsand/or cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester groups, for examplelactone groups and/or cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate groups, inparticular alkylene oxide groups such as oligoalkylene oxide- groupsand/or polyethers, since the ion dissociation is increased by negativelycharged group Q⁻ or positively charged group Q⁺, and the ion mobilitymay be further increased by uncharged group Q, which overall may resultin a significant increase in the ion conductivity, for example thelithium ion conductivity.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, spacer X includes atleast one in particular substituted or unsubstituted, saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, alkylene group and/or at least one inparticular substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, alkylene oxide group and/or at least one inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenylene oxide group, forexample an oligophenylene oxide group, in particular having ≥1 or ≥2 to≤10 repeating units, and/or at least one in particular substituted orunsubstituted phenylene group, for example oligophenylene group, inparticular having ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, and/or at least onein particular substituted or unsubstituted benzylene group, for examplean oligobenzylene group, in particular having ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeatingunits, and/or at least one carbonyl group, in particular ketone group,for example alkylcarbonyl group, and/or at least one cyclic carbonategroup and/or at least one lactone group and/or at least one cycliccarbamate group and/or at least one acyclic carbonate group and/or atleast one acyclic carboxylic acid ester group and/or at least oneacyclic carbamate group and/or at least one ether oxygen and/or at leastone positively charged group, for example at least one in particularquaternary ammonium ion group and/or at least one pyridinium groupand/or at least one imidazolium group and/or at least one piperidiniumgroup and/or at least one pyrrolidinium group and/or at least one inparticular quaternary phosphonium group and/or at least one guanidiniumgroup and/or at least one morpholinium group and/or at least one uroniumgroup and/or at least one thiouronium group, and/or at least onenegatively charged group, for example at least one sulfonate groupand/or trifluoromethanesulfonylimide group, for example at least onelithium sulfonate group and/or lithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidegroup, in particular a lithium benzenesulfonate group and/or a lithiumtrifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group. Spacer X may also include acombination of these groups. The ion conductivity of the polymer orpolymer electrolyte may advantageously be increased overall by such aspacer X, for example via which the polymer backbone may be optimizedwith regard to other properties. As the result of introducing at leastone, optionally additional, cyclic carbonate group and/or lactone groupand/or cyclic carbamate group and/or acyclic carbonate group and/oracyclic carboxylic acid ester group and/or acyclic carbamate groupand/or positively charged group, in particular based on a cation of anionic liquid, for example an in particular quaternary ammonium ion groupand/or a pyridinium group and/or an imidazolium group and/or apiperidinium group and/or a pyrrolidinium group and/or an in particularquaternary phosphonium group and/or a guanidinium group and/or amorpholinium group and/or a uronium group and/or a thiouronium group,and/or a negatively charged group, for example a sulfonylimide groupand/or sulfonate group, into spacer X, the ion conductivity mayadvantageously be further increased, in particular as described inconjunction with corresponding groups Q, Q⁺, and Q⁻.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, spacer Xincludes at least one in particular substituted or unsubstituted,saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, alkylene oxide group, inparticular oligoalkylene oxide group. Spacer X may include, for example,at least one for example substituted or unsubstituted, saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, ethylene oxide group and/or propyleneoxide group, in particular oligoethylene oxide group and/oroligopropylene oxide group. In particular, spacer X may include at leastone for example substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, ethylene oxide group, in particular oligoethyleneoxide group. The ion mobility may advantageously be increased in thisway. This may be particularly advantageous in the case of a positivelycharged group Q⁺ and/or in the case of a negatively charged group Q⁻, inparticular in order to mobilize dissociated ions and thus increase theion conductivity.

The at least one alkylene oxide group of spacer X may in particular bepartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, forexample perfluorinated. Due to halogenation, in particular fluorination,for example perfluorination, the solubility of polysulfides by thepolymer or the polymer electrolyte, in particular by alkylene oxidegroups, may advantageously be reduced, which may be particularlyadvantageous when used in combination with a sulfur-carbon composite,for example a sulfur-polymer composite and/or carbon modificationcomposite, in particular a sulfur-polymer composite containing sulfurwhich is bound, for example covalently and/or ionically, in particularcovalently, to the polymer of the composite, for example asulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, for example a SPAN composite, ascathode material.

Within the scope of another alternative or additional embodiment of thisspecific embodiment, spacer X includes at least one carbonyl group, inparticular at least one cyclic carbonate group and/or at least onelactone group and/or at least one cyclic carbamate group and/or at leastone acyclic carbonate group and/or at least one acyclic carboxylic acidester group and/or at least one acyclic carbamate group. In particular,spacer X may include at least one acyclic carbonate group. The ionmobility may likewise advantageously be increased in this way. This maybe particularly advantageous in the case of a positively charged groupQ⁺ and/or in the case of a negatively charged group Q⁻, in particular inorder to mobilize dissociated ions and thus increase the ionconductivity.

Within the scope of another alternative or additional embodiment of thisspecific embodiment, spacer X includes at least one, optionallyadditional, positively charged group Q⁺, in particular based on a cationof an ionic liquid, for example at least one ammonium ion group and/orat least one pyridinium group and/or at least one imidazolium groupand/or at least one piperidinium group and/or at least one pyrrolidiniumgroup and/or at least one phosphonium group and/or at least oneguanidinium group and/or at least one morpholinium group and/or at leastone uronium group and/or at least one thiouronium group. Spacer X mayinclude, for example, at least one ammonium group and/or at least onepyridinium group and/or at least one imidazolium group, for example atleast one ammonium group and/or at least one pyridinium group, and acounterion Z⁻, for example a conducting salt anion, in particular alithium conducting salt anion. The at least one, optionally additional,positively charged group Q⁺ of the spacer may be configured inparticular as described above, in particular within the scope ofpositively charged groups Q⁺ which are bound via spacer X. The iondissociation may advantageously be increased in this way. This may beparticularly advantageous in the case of a positively charged group Q⁺and/or in the case of an uncharged group Q, in particular in order tofurther increase the ion conductivity and further reduce the polysulfidesolubility.

Within the scope of another alternative or additional embodiment of thisspecific embodiment, spacer X includes at least one, optionallyadditional, negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, for examplean alkali ion, for example a lithium ion and/or sodium ion, inparticular a lithium ion. The at least one, optionally additional,negatively charged group Q⁻ of the spacer may be configured inparticular as described above, in particular within the scope ofnegatively charged groups Q⁻ which are bound via spacer X. For example,the at least one, optionally additional, negatively charged group Q⁻ ofspacer X may be a group based on a conducting salt anion, in particulara lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquidand/or a sulfonate group. For example, spacer X may include at least onesulfonylimide group, for example at least onetrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group and/or perfluoroethanesulfonylimidegroup and/or fluorosulfonylimide group, in particular at least onetrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group, and/or at least one sulfonategroup. The ion dissociation may advantageously be increased in this way.This may be particularly advantageous in the case of a negativelycharged group Q⁻ and/or in the case of an uncharged group Q, inparticular in order to further increase the ion conductivity and furtherreduce the polysulfide solubility.

The at least one alkylene group of spacer X may have a chain length, forexample, of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, in particular ≥1 to ≤13 carbonatoms, for example ≥1 to ≤4 carbon atoms or ≥4 to ≤8 carbon atoms and/or≥9 to ≤13 carbon atoms. For example, the alkylene group of spacer X maystand [for] a saturated alkylene group, for example of the generalchemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example 1≤a1≤12, forexample 1≤a1≤3.

The at least one alkylene oxide group of spacer X may be an ethyleneoxide group and/or a propylene oxide group, for example. In particular,the at least one alkylene oxide group may be an oligoalkylene oxidegroup, for example an oligoethylene oxide group and/or oligopropyleneoxide group. In particular, the alkylene oxide group or oligoalkyleneoxide group may have ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for example ≥1 or≥2 to ≤4 repeating units. For example, the at least one alkylene oxideunit may have the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where1≤b≤10, for example 1≤ or 2≤b≤4.

The bonding of the at least one alkylene oxide group of spacer X topolymer backbone -[A]- and group Q, for example the pyridinium group,ammonium group, imidazolium group, piperidinium group, pyrrolidiniumgroup, phosphonium group, guanidinium group, morpholinium group, uroniumgroup, thiouronium group, cyclic carbonate group, lactone group, cycliccarbamate group, acyclic carbonate group, acyclic carboxylic acid estergroup, acyclic carbamate group, sulfonylimide group, or sulfonate group,may take place in each case via an in particular saturated and/orunsaturated, linear or branched, alkylene group, for example a methylenegroup and/or an alkoxy group. Spacer X may be, for example, analkyl-alkylene oxide-alkyl group, for example an alkyl-oligoalkyleneoxide-alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1)—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b1)—(CH₂)_(a1′)—, where 1≤a1≤12, in particular1≤a1≤3, 1≤b1≤10, in particular 1≤ or 2≤b1≤4, and 1≤a1′≤12, in particular1≤a1′≤3, or an alkoxy-alkylene oxide-alkyl group, for example analkoxy-oligoalkylene oxide-alkyl group, for example of the generalchemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a2)—O—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b2)—(CH₂)_(a2′)—, where1≤a2≤12, in particular 1≤a2≤3, 1≤b2≤10, in particular 1≤ or 2≤b2≤4, and1≤a2′≤12, in particular 1≤a2′≤3.

The at least one phenylene oxide group and/or the at least one phenylenegroup and/or the at least one benzylene group of spacer X may besubstituted in particular with one or multiple alkyl side chain/s and/orone or multiple alkylene oxide side chain/s, for example oligoalkyleneoxide side chain/s, for example oligoethylene oxide side chain/s and/oroligopropylene oxide side chain/s, and/or one or multiple cycliccarbonate group/s and/or lactone group/s and/or cyclic carbamate group/sand/or acyclic carbonate group/s and/or acyclic carboxylic acid estergroup/s and/or acyclic carbamate group/s and/or one or multiple chargedgroups, for example quaternary ammonium ion group/s and/or pyridiniumgroup/s and/or imidazolium group/s and/or piperidinium group/s and/orpyrrolidinium group/s and/or in particular quaternary phosphoniumgroup/s and/or guanidinium group/s and/or morpholinium group/s and/oruronium group/s and/or thiouronium group/s and/or sulfonylimide group/sand/or sulfonate group/s, for example lithium sulfonate groups. In thisway the ion conductivity may advantageously be further increased, asdescribed particular in conjunction with corresponding groups Q, Q⁺, andQ⁻. For example, spacer X may include one or multiple phenylene oxidegroup/s and/or phenylene group/s and/or benzylene group/s. An inparticular saturated and/or unsaturated, linear or branched, for examplepartially or completely halogenated or unhalogenated, for examplepartially fluorinated or perfluorinated, or unfluorinated, alkylenegroup and/or alkylene oxide group, for example oligoalkylene oxidegroup, for example oligoethylene oxide group and/or oligopropylene oxidegroup, may be inserted (in each case) between phenylene oxide groupsand/or phenylene groups and/or benzylene groups of spacer X.

The bonding of the at least one carbonyl group of spacer X to polymerbackbone -[A]- and group Q, for example the cyclic carbonate group,lactone group, cyclic carbamate group, acyclic carbonate group, acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, acyclic carbamate group, pyridinium group,ammonium group, imidazolium group, piperidinium group, pyrrolidiniumgroup, phosphonium group, guanidinium group, morpholinium group, uroniumgroup, thiouronium group, sulfonylimide group, or sulfonate group, maytake place in each case via an in particular saturated and/orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated or unhalogenated, for example partially fluorinated orperfluorinated, or unfluorinated, alkylene group and/or alkylene oxidegroup, for example oligoalkylene oxide group, for example oligoethyleneoxide group and/or oligopropylene oxide group.

For example, spacer X may include one or multiple (analogous to Q, forexample) cyclic carbonate group/s and/or lactone group/s and/or cycliccarbamate group/s and/or acyclic carbonate group/s and/or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group/s and/or acyclic carbamate group/s and/or(analogous to Q⁺, for example) ammonium ion group/s and/or pyridiniumgroup/s and/or imidazolium group/s and/or piperidinium group/s and/orpyrrolidinium group/s and/or phosphonium group/s and/or guanidiniumgroup/s and/or morpholinium group/s and/or uronium group/s and/orthiouronium group/s and/or (analogous to Q⁻, for example) sulfonylimidegroup/s and/or sulfonate group/s, for example benzenesulfonylimidegroup/s and/or benzenesulfonate group/s. The bonding of the cycliccarbonate group, lactone group, cyclic carbamate group, acycliccarbonate group, acyclic carboxylic acid ester group, acyclic carbamategroup, ammonium ion group, pyridinium group, imidazolium group,piperidinium group, pyrrolidinium group, phosphonium group, guanidiniumgroup, morpholinium group, uronium group, thiouronium group,sulfonylimide group, or sulfonate group, for examplebenzenesulfonylimide group and/or benzenesulfonate group, of spacer X topolymer backbone -[A]- and/or to a further cyclic carbonate group,lactone group, cyclic carbamate group, acyclic carbonate group, acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, acyclic carbamate group, ammonium iongroup, pyridinium group, imidazolium group, piperidinium group,pyrrolidinium group, phosphonium group, guanidinium group, morpholiniumgroup, uronium group, thiouronium group, sulfonylimide group, orsulfonate group of spacer X and/or between a cyclic carbonate group,lactone group, cyclic carbamate group, acyclic carbonate group, acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, acyclic carbamate group, ammonium iongroup, pyridinium group, imidazolium group, piperidinium group,pyrrolidinium group, phosphonium group, guanidinium group, morpholiniumgroup, uronium group, thiouronium group, sulfonylimide group, orsulfonate group, for example benzenesulfonylimide group and/orbenzenesulfonate group, of spacer X and/or to the, for example terminal,group Q, for example the cyclic carbonate group, lactone group, cycliccarbamate group, acyclic carbonate group, acyclic carboxylic acid estergroup, acyclic carbamate group, pyridinium group, ammonium group,imidazolium group, piperidinium group, pyrrolidinium group, phosphoniumgroup, guanidinium group, morpholinium group, uronium group, thiouroniumgroup, sulfonylimide group, or sulfonate group may take place (in eachcase) in particular via an in particular saturated and/or unsaturated,linear or branched, for example partially or completely halogenated orunhalogenated, for example partially fluorinated or perfluorinated, orunfluorinated, alkylene group and/or alkylene oxide group, for exampleoligoalkylene oxide group, for example oligoethylene oxide group and/oroligopropylene oxide group.

For example, spacer X may be an in particular saturated and/orunsaturated, linear or branched, alkylene spacer. In the case of analkylene spacer X, in particular in the saturated case, the number ofcarbon atoms in the spacer may be in particular ≥1 to ≤12, for example≥1 to ≤4. For example, the alkylene spacer may be based on the generalchemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤12, in particular 1≤a1≤3.

Alternatively, spacer X may be, for example, an alkylene oxide spacer,for example an oligoalkylene oxide spacer, for example an oligoethyleneoxide spacer or oligopropylene oxide spacer. In the case of aconfiguration as an oligoalkylene oxide spacer, the number of repeatingunits may be, for example, ≥2 to ≤10, in particular ≥2 to ≤4, repeatingunits. The bonding of the alkylene oxide unit, for example theoligoalkylene oxide unit, for example the oligoethylene oxide unit oroligopropylene oxide unit, to polymer backbone -[A]- or group Q, forexample the cyclic carbonate group, lactone group, cyclic carbamategroup, acyclic carbonate group, acyclic carboxylic acid ester group,acyclic carbamate group, pyridinium group, ammonium group, imidazoliumgroup, piperidinium group, pyrrolidinium group, phosphonium group,guanidinium group, morpholinium group, uronium group, thiouronium group,sulfonylimide group, or sulfonate group, may take place in each case inparticular via an in particular saturated and/or unsaturated, linear orbranched, alkylene group, for example methylene groups. For example, thealkylene oxide spacer may be based on the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a3)—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b3)—(CH₂)_(a3)—, where 1≤b3≤10, in particular1≤b3≤4, and 1 or 0≤a3≤3, for example a3=1.

Alternatively, spacer X may be, for example, a spacer based on inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenylene oxide and/or phenyleneand/or benzylene. In particular, the spacer may include multiplephenylene oxide units and/or phenylene units and/or benzylene units. Anin particular saturated and/or unsaturated, linear or branched, forexample partially or completely halogenated or unhalogenated, forexample partially fluorinated or perfluorinated, or unfluorinated,alkylene group and/or alkylene oxide group, for example oligoalkyleneoxide group, for example oligoethylene oxide group and/or oligopropyleneoxide group, may be inserted (in each case) between phenylene oxideunits and/or oligophenylene oxide units and/or phenylene units and/oroligophenylene units and/or benzylene units and/or oligobenzylene unitsof spacer X. A substitution may take place in particular with one ormultiple alkyl side chain/s and/or one or multiple alkylene oxide sidechain/s, for example oligoalkylene oxide side chain/s, for exampleoligoethylene oxide side chain/s and/or oligopropylene oxide sidechain/s, and/or one or multiple cyclic carbonate group/s and/or lactonegroup/s and/or cyclic carbamate group/s and/or acyclic carbonate group/sand/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group/s and/or acyclic carbamategroup/s and/or one or multiple charged groups, for example quaternaryammonium group/s and/or pyridinium group/s and/or imidazolium group/sand/or piperidinium group/s and/or pyrrolidinium group/s and/or forexample quaternary phosphonium group/s and/or guanidinium group/s and/ormorpholinium group/s and/or uronium group/s and/or thiouronium group/sand/or sulfonylimide group/s and/or sulfonate group/s, for examplelithium sulfonylimide group/s and/or lithium sulfonate group/s.

Alternatively, spacer X may be, for example, a carbonyl spacer, forexample an alkylene/alkylene oxide-carbonyl-alkylene/alkylene oxidespacer.

Alternatively, spacer X may be an ether oxygen (—O—), for example.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, spacer X is an alkyleneand/or alkylene oxide spacer, for example an alkylene and/oroligoalkylene oxide spacer, for example an ethylene oxide and/oroligoethylene oxide spacer.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, -[A]- stands for apolymer backbone-forming unit which includes (at least) one alkyleneoxide unit, in particular ethylene oxide unit (PEO) and/or propyleneoxide unit, for example oligoalkylene oxide unit, for exampleoligoethylene oxide unit and/or oligopropylene oxide unit, and/or a unitwhich includes a carbonate group, in particular an organic carbonategroup, and/or a siloxane unit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or a methylmethacrylate unit and/or a methacrylate unit and/or a phenylene unitand/or a phenylene oxide unit and/or a benzylene unit and/or an alkyleneunit.

For example, -[A]- may stand for a polymer backbone-forming unit whichincludes and/or forms a polyether, in particular polyethylene oxide(PEO) and/or polypropylene oxide, and/or repeating units which includepolymerized, in particular organic, carbonate group/s, for example apolycarbonate and/or a polymer made up of polymer backbone-formingstructural units with side groups which contain carbonate groups, and/ora polysiloxane and/or a polyphosphazene and/or a poly(methyl)methacrylate and/or a polymethacrylate and/or a polyphenylene, forexample a para-polyphenylene, and/or a polyphenylene oxide and/or apolybenzylene and/or a polyolefin, for example polypropylene and/orpolyethylene. For example, -[A]- may stand for a polymerbackbone-forming unit which is based on a polyether, in particularpolyethylene oxide (PEO) and/or polypropylene oxide, and/or repeatingunits which include polymerized, in particular organic, carbonategroup/s, and/or a polysiloxane and/or a polyphosphazene and/or apoly(methyl) methacrylate and/or a polymethacrylate and/or apolyphenylene, for example a para-polyphenylene, and/or a polyphenyleneoxide and/or a polybenzylene and/or a polyolefin, for examplepolypropylene and/or polyethylene.

Within the scope of one particular specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- includes (at least) one siloxane. A lowglass transition temperature of the polymer and thus a high ionconductivity may advantageously be achieved in this way.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one phosphazene unit. A low glass transitiontemperature of the polymer and thus a high ion conductivity may likewiseadvantageously be achieved in this way.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one methyl methacrylate unit and/or one methacrylateunit. These may advantageously be more easily synthetically obtainablethan phosphazenes.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one phenylene unit. In particular, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- may include (at least) one para-phenyleneunit. Electrical conductivity may advantageously be additionallyachieved in this way. In addition, phenylene units or polyphenylenes mayeasily be singly or multiply substituted, for example sulfonated. Inparticular, multiple sulfonations of the phenylene unit and/or of thepolyphenyl polymer backbone formed therefrom are also possible. Forexample, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may include (at least) onephenylene oxide unit. Groups Q, Q⁺, and/or Q⁻ may advantageously beeasily bound via the oxygen, optionally via a spacer X. For example,polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may include or be an at least singlysulfonated, for example multiply sulfonated, phenylene unit. Forexample, the polymer or the polyelectrolyte may include or be apolyphenylene, for example para-polyphenylene, which is substituted[with] a sulfonate group, in particular a lithium sulfonate group, forexample which includes at least one phenylene repeating unit that is atleast singly substituted with sulfonate groups, in particular lithiumsulfonate groups, for example with multiple sulfonate groups, inparticular lithium sulfonate groups. This has proven to be advantageous,since the number of anionic units and thus, lithium ion charge carriersper phenylene unit, may be increased in this way. In addition to thephenylene unit substituted [with] sulfonate groups, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example in the form of a polyphenylene,may also include one or multiple other phenylene units, for example anunsubstituted phenylene unit and/or a phenylene unit that is singly ormultiply substituted in each case with a group Q, for example Q⁺ or Q⁻or Q, and a spacer X, in particular X_(x).

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one benzylene unit.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one alkylene unit.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one alkylene oxide unit, in particular ethyleneoxide unit (PEO) and/or propylene oxide unit, for example oligoalkyleneoxide unit, for example oligoethylene oxide unit and/or oligopropyleneoxide unit, in particular oligoethylene oxide unit. The ion mobility andthus the ion conductivity may advantageously be increased in this way.

Within the scope of another, in particular alternative or additional,particular specific embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one unit which includes a carbonate group, inparticular an organic carbonate group. It is thus advantageouslypossible to increase the polarity of the polymer backbone and thuspositively influence, in particular reduce, the polysulfide solubility.Polymerized repeating units which include in particular organiccarbonate groups may, for example, form a polycarbonate, i.e., apolyester whose polymer backbone includes carbonate groups that arelinked via a condensation reaction, for example, in particularesterified. Alternatively or additionally, however, polymerizedrepeating units which include in particular organic carbonate groups mayalso form a polymer made up of polymer backbone-forming structural unitswith side groups which contain in particular organic carbonate groups.The overall ion conductivity of the polymer may advantageously beincreased due to the side groups which contain carbonate groups. Theformed polymer backbone may itself include carbonate groups, and may bea polycarbonate, for example, or may also be free of carbonate groups,in particular containing no polycarbonate. For example, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- may include a unit with a polymerbackbone-forming structural unit and with a side group which contains acarbonate group. The side group containing the carbonate group may bebound, for example, to an atom of the polymer backbone-formingstructural unit. However, the side group containing the carbonate group,for example in the form of a five-membered ring or six-membered ring orseven-membered ring, in particular a five-membered ring, may also, forexample, be bound cyclically to the polymer backbone-forming structuralunit, in particular to two atoms of the polymer backbone-formingstructural unit. In particular, a carbonate group may form a side groupthat is cyclically bound to the polymer backbone-forming structuralunit. For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may include aunit with a polymer backbone-forming structural unit and with acarbonate group, the carbonate group forming a side group that iscyclically bound to the polymer backbone-forming structural unit. Forexample, the carbonate group may be bound to two atoms of the polymerbackbone-forming structural unit via two oxygen atoms, and (togetherwith atoms of the polymer backbone-forming structural unit) may form,for example, a five-membered ring or six-membered ring or seven-memberedring, in particular a five-membered ring.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may be monofunctionalized or alsopolyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized, trifunctionalized, ortetrafunctionalized, with group Q which is bound via spacer X. Apolyfunctionalized polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may be understoodin particular to mean a polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- that isfunctionalized with at least two groups Q, for example Q⁺ and/or Q⁻and/or Q, in particular a group Q, for example Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, in eachcase being bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, optionally viaa spacer X, in particular X_(x).

Several general chemical formulas are presented below by way of example,on which polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- or repeating unit([A]-X-Q):

and, for example, also polymer backbone-forming units -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)], -[A_(b)]-[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, and particular repeatingunits, described below, may be based. In the case of provision of apolymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, xq may (in each case) stand for abinding site to which the or (in each case) a group Q is bound topolymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example via a spacer X, inparticular X_(x) (in the case x=[sic; ≠]0, bound indirectly, or in thecase x=0, bound directly, via the spacer). In the case of provision of arepeating unit ([A]-X-Q), xq may stand for XQ, i.e., the or (in eachcase) a spacer X, in particular X_(x), and the or (in each case) a groupQ, for example Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q.

For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- or repeating unit([A]-X-Q) may include or be an alkylene oxide unit, for example anethylene oxide unit, of the general chemical formula:

and/or a propylene oxide repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a repeating unit with apolymer backbone-forming structural unit and with a carbonate group, ofthe following general chemical formula, which is cyclically bound to thepolymer backbone-forming structural unit:

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a siloxane unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

in particular where R stands for an alkyl group, for example a methyl,ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example a methyl group. For example,polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- or repeating unit ([A]-X-Q) mayinclude or be a siloxane unit of the general chemical formula:

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a phosphazene unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

in particular where R′ stands for hydrogen or (preferably) for an alkylgroup, for example a methyl, ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example amethyl group.

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a methyl methacrylate unit ofthe general chemical formula:

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a methacrylate unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be a phenylene unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

for example

Alternatively or additionally, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- orrepeating unit ([A]-X-Q) may include or be an ethylene unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

and/or a propylene unit of the general chemical formula:

For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may include (at least)one unit with a polymer backbone-forming structural unit and with a sidegroup which contains a carbonate group. The overall ion conductivity ofthe polymer may thus advantageously be increased. The side groupcontaining the carbonate group may be bound, for example, to an atom ofthe polymer backbone-forming structural unit. For example, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- may be (at least) one unit with a polymerbackbone-forming structural unit and a carbonate group, which forms aside group that is cyclically bound to the polymer backbone-formingstructural unit. For example, the carbonate group may be bound to twoatoms of the polymer backbone-forming structural unit via two oxygenatoms, and (together with the polymer backbone-forming structural unit)may form, for example, a five-membered ring or six-membered ring orseven-membered ring, in particular a five-membered ring.

Within the scope of one particular specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- includes (at least) one siloxane unit and/orone phosphazene unit and/or one methyl methacrylate unit and/or onemethacrylate unit and/or one phenylene unit, in particular onepara-phenylene unit. In particular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-may include (at least) one siloxane unit and/or one phosphazene unitand/or one methyl methacrylate unit and/or one methacrylate unit. Withinthe scope of one particular embodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit-[A]-includes (at least) one methyl methacrylate unit and/or onemethacrylate unit and/or one siloxane unit. A low glass transitiontemperature of the polymer and thus a high ion conductivity mayadvantageously be achieved by use of phosphazenes and/or siloxanes.Methyl methacrylate and/or methacrylate may advantageously allowsimplification of the synthesis. Electrical conductivity mayadvantageously be additionally achieved by use of phenylene units. Inaddition, phenylene units or polyphenylenes may easily be singly ormultiply substituted, for example sulfonated.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- includes (at least) one polyfunctionalized,for example bifunctionalized, siloxane unit, and/or one phosphazene unitthat is polyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized ortetrafunctionalized, for example, or polyfunctionalized, for exampletetrafunctionalized, by branching in one or multiple side chains, and/orone polyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized, methylmethacrylate unit, and/or one polyfunctionalized, for examplebifunctionalized, methacrylate unit, and/or one polyfunctionalized, forexample bifunctionalized, phenylene unit. Within the scope of oneparticular embodiment of this specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-includes (at least) one polyfunctionalized,for example bifunctionalized, siloxane unit, and/or one phosphazene unitthat is polyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized ortetrafunctionalized, for example, or polyfunctionalized, for exampletetrafunctionalized, by branching in one or multiple side chains. Withinthe scope of one particularly preferred embodiment of this specificembodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- includes (at least) onepolyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized, siloxane unit. Thepolymer may thus advantageously be easily provided with multiple groupsQ.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- or subsequently described polymerbackbone-forming units -[A]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-,-[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-,-[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or-[A_(Z1)]-, and/or spacer X or subsequently described spacers (X_(I)),(X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)) (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)),(X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d)), (X_(e)), (X_(f)), or(X_(Z)), and/or group Q, for example Q⁺ and/or Q⁻ and/or Q, is/are inparticular partially or completely halogenated, for example fluorinated,optionally perfluorinated. In particular (at least) alkylene oxidegroups and/or alkylene groups and/or alkyl groups and/or alkoxy groupsmay be halogenated, in particular fluorinated, optionallyperfluorinated. The solubility of polysulfides by the polymer mayadvantageously be reduced by fluorinating in particular alkylene oxidegroups such as ethylene oxide groups and/or propylene oxide groups,and/or polyethers and/or alkyl groups and/or alkylene groups and/oralkoxy groups. In turn, dissolving out of polysulfides from the cathodeactive material, for example a sulfur-carbon composite, for example asulfur-polymer composite, in particular a sulfur-polyacrylonitrilecomposite such as SPAN, and thus active material loss, may thusadvantageously be reduced or avoided, and the performance, cyclestability, and service life of a lithium-sulfur cell thus equipped or anenergy system thus equipped, for example a lithium-sulfur battery, maybe improved in this way. Fluorination may also have a positive influenceon the transfer number, and may in particular increase the transfernumber.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, spacer X orsubsequently described spacers (X_(I)), (X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)),(X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), (X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)),(X_(c)), (X_(d)), (X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)), or (X_(Z1)), and/or polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- or subsequently described polymerbackbone-forming units -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-,-[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-,-[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or-[A_(Z1)]-, and/or group Q or Q⁺ or Q⁻, or groups R10-R213 described ingreater detail below, therefore include(s) a fluorinated, in particularperfluorinated, alkylene oxide unit, for example an ethylene oxide unitand/or propylene oxide unit, in particular an ethylene oxide unit, forexample an oligoalkylene oxide unit, for example an oligoethylene oxideunit and/or oligopropylene oxide unit, in particular an oligoethyleneoxide unit. Spacer X or subsequently described spacers (X_(I)),(X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)),(X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d)), (X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)),or (X_(Z1)), and/or polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- or subsequentlydescribed polymer backbone-forming units -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, and/or group Q or Q⁺ orQ⁻, or groups R10-R213 described in greater detail below, may optionallybe free of unfluorinated alkylene oxide units, for example ethyleneoxide units and/or propylene oxide units, in particular ethylene oxideunits, for example oligoalkylene oxide units, for example oligoethyleneoxide units and/or oligopropylene oxide units, in particularoligoethylene oxide units. A cathode-side polysulfide solubility whichis reduced compared to use of unfluorinated ether-based liquidelectrolytes, such as dimethoxyethane (DME) or dioxolane (DOL) andmixtures thereof, may advantageously be achieved by use of a polymerelectrolyte, in particular which is not based or is only partially basedon unfluorinated polyethylene oxide, for example which is not based onunfluorinated polyethylene oxide or which is based on fluorinated, inparticular perfluorinated, polyethylene oxide. The capacity and thus theservice life of the cell may advantageously be significantly improved inthis way.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, spacer X or subsequently described spacers (X_(I)),(X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)),(X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)) (X_(c)), (X_(d)), (X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)),or (X_(Z1)), and/or polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- or subsequentlydescribed polymer backbone-forming units -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, and/or group Q or Q⁺ orQ⁻, or groups R10-R213 described in greater detail below, is/areperfluorinated. The solubility of polysulfides by the polymer may inparticular be advantageously reduced in this way.

Within the scope of one embodiment, the in particular uncharged group Qstands for a group, in particular a cyclic carbonate group, of thegeneral chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular a lactone group, of thegeneral chemical formula:

for example

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular a cyclic carbamate group, ofthe general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular an ethylene oxide group, ofthe general chemical formula:

In this regard, N_(IV) or N_(IX) stands for the number of ethylene oxideunits and is in particular 1≤n_(IV)≤15, for example 2≤n_(IV)≤6, or1≤n_(IX)≤15, for example 2≤n_(IX)≤6.

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular an acyclic carbonate group, ofthe general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular an acyclic carboxylic acidester group, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular unchargedgroup Q stands for a group, in particular an acyclic carbamate group, ofthe general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular a pyridinium group,of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular a quaternary ammoniumgroup, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular an imidazolium groupof the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular a piperidinium group,of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular a pyrrolidiniumgroup, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular positivelycharged group Q⁺ stands for a group, in particular a quaternaryphosphonium group, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular negativelycharged group Q⁻ stands for a group, in particular apara-benzenesulfonylimide group, for example apara-trifluoromethanesulfonylimide benzene group, of the general

for example

Within the scope of another embodiment, the in particular negativelycharged group Q⁻ stands for a group, in particular apara-benzenesulfonate group, of the general chemical formula:

R10, R11, R12, R13, and/or R14, or R30, R31, R32 and/or R33, or R40,R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, or R50,R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R100, R101, and/orR101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121,and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′, R181, R181′ and/or R182, or R200, R201,R202, and/or R203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214, may in eachcase independently stand for hydrogen and/or an in particularsubstituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, alkyl group, in particular having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16carbon atoms, and/or an in particular substituted or unsubstituted,saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, alkylene oxide group, forexample an ethylene oxide group or propylene oxide group, in particularan oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide groupor oligopropylene oxide group, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10repeating units, and/or a halogen atom, in particular fluorine, and/oran in particular substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, alkoxy group, for example having a carbon chainlength of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, and/or an in particular substituted orunsubstituted phenylene oxide group, for example an oligophenylene oxidegroup, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, and/or an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group and/or an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group, for example anoligophenylene group, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeatingunits, and/or an in particular substituted or unsubstituted phenyl groupand/or an in particular substituted or unsubstituted benzylene group,for example an oligobenzylene group, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10repeating units, and/or an in particular substituted or unsubstitutedbenzyl group and/or a carbonyl group, in particular a ketone group, forexample an alkylcarbonyl group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbonate group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, in particular a lactone group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group, and/or in particularin the case of R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/orR45′, or R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R100,R101, and/or R101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120,R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, orR140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182,or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/orR214, may stand for a charged group, for example a positively chargedgroup, for example based on a cation of an ionic liquid, for example aquaternary ammonium group and/or a quaternary phosphonium group, and/ora negatively charged group, for example based on a conducting saltanion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example a sulfonylimide group, and/or a sulfonategroup, for example a lithium sulfonylimide group and/or lithiumsulfonate group.

R20, R21, and/or R22 or R60, R61, and/or R62 may in each caseindependently stand for an in particular substituted or unsubstituted,saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, alkyl group, in particularhaving a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, and/or an in particularsubstituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group orpropylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, forexample an oligoethylene oxide group or oligopropylene oxide group, inparticular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, and/or an in particularsubstituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, alkoxy group, for example having a carbon chain length of ≥1to ≤16 carbon atoms, and/or an in particular substituted orunsubstituted phenylene oxide group, for example an oligophenylene oxidegroup, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, and/or an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group and/or an inparticular substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group, for example anoligophenylene group, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeatingunits, and/or an in particular substituted or unsubstituted phenyl groupand/or an in particular substituted or unsubstituted benzylene group,for example an oligobenzylene group, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10repeating units, and/or an in particular substituted or unsubstitutedbenzyl group and/or a carbonyl group, in particular a ketone group, forexample an alkylcarbonyl group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbonate group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, in particular a lactone group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group.

Within the meaning of the present invention, an alkyl group or analkylene group or an alkylene oxide group or an ethylene oxide group ora propylene oxide group or an oligoalkylene oxide group or anoligoethylene oxide group or an oligopropylene oxide group or an alkoxygroup or a phenylene oxide group or an oligophenylene oxide group or aphenoxy group or a phenylene group or an oligophenylene group or aphenyl group or a benzylene group or an oligobenzylene group or a benzylgroup may be understood in particular to mean a particular group whichmay be substituted or also unsubstituted.

With regard to R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R20, R21, R22, R30, R31, R32,R33, R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, R45′, R50,R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, R54′, R60, R61, R62, R100, R101,R101′, R110, R111, R111′, R112, R112′, R120, R120′, R121, R121′, R130,R130′, R131, R131′, R132, R140, R150, R160, R170, R180, R180′, R181,R181′, R182, R200, R201, R202, R203, R210, R211, R212, R213, and/orR214, an alkyl group or alkoxy group may for example have a carbon chainlength of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, for example a carbon chain length of≥1 to ≥4 carbon atoms and/or ≥4 to ≤8 carbon atoms and/or ≥9 to ≤13carbon atoms. In particular, an alkyl group may be a saturated alkylgroup, for example of the general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a)—CH₃,where 1≤a≤15.

With regard to R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R20, R21, R22, R30, R31, R32,R33, R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, R45′, R50,R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, R54′, R60, R61, R62, R100, R101,R101′, R110, R111, R111′, R112, R112′, R120, R120′, R121, R121′, R130,R130′, R131, R131′, R132, R140, R150, R160, R170, R180, R180′, R181,R181′, R182, R200, R201, R202, R203, R210, R211, R212, R213, and/orR214, an alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group orpropylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, forexample an oligoethylene oxide group or oligopropylene oxide group, or aphenylene oxide group, for example an oligophenylene oxide group, or aphenylene group, for example an oligophenylene group, or a benzylenegroup, for example an oligobenzylene group, may have for example ≥1 or≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for example ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units.For example, an alkylene oxide unit may have the general chemicalformula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10, for example 1≤ or 2≤b≤4.

With regard to R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R20, R21, R22, R30, R31, R32,R33, R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, R45′, R50,R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, R54′, R60, R61, R62, R100, R101,R101′, R110, R111, R111′, R112, R112′, R120, R120′, R121, R121′, R130,R130′, R131, R131′, R132, R140, R150, R160, R170, R180, R180′, R181,R181′, R182, R200, R201, R202, R203, R210, R211, R212, R213, and/orR214, combinations of these groups, for example an alkyl-alkylene oxidegroup, for example an alkyl-oligoalkylene oxide group, for example ofthe general chemical formula: H₃C—(CH₂)_(a1*)—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b1*)—, where0≤a1*≤15, in particular 0≤a1*≤3, and 1≤b1*≤10, in particular 1≤ or2≤b1*≤4, or an alkyl-alkylene oxide-alkyl group, for example analkyl-oligoalkylene oxide-alkyl group, or an alkoxy-alkylene oxidegroup, for example an alkoxy-oligoalkylene oxide group, or analkoxy-alkylene oxide-alkyl group, for example an alkoxy-oligoalkyleneoxide-alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:H₃C—(CH₂)_(a2*)—O—[CH₂—CH₂—(O—]_(b2)*—(CH₂)_(a2*′)-, where 0≤a2*≤15, inparticular 0≤a2*≤3, 0≤a2*′≤15, in particular 0≤a2*′≤3, and 1≤b2*≤10, inparticular 1≤ or 2≤b2*≤4, are also possible.

For example, R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112,and/or R112′, for example R110, R111, and/or R111′, or R120, R120′,R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, and/or R131′, or R150, orR180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R10, R11, R13, and/or R14, orR30, R32, and/or R33, or R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′,R45, and/or R45′, or R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′,or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214may in each case independently stand for hydrogen and/or a halogen atom,in particular fluorine, and/or an alkyl group and/or an alkylene oxidegroup, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, and/or an alkoxygroup and/or a phenylene oxide group, in particular an oligophenyleneoxide group, and/or a phenoxy group and/or a phenylene group, inparticular an oligophenylene group, and/or a phenyl group and/or abenzylene group, in particular an oligobenzylene group, and/or a benzylgroup and/or a carbonyl group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbonate group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, in particular a lactone group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group, and/or a chargedgroup, for example a positively charged group, in particular based on acation of an ionic liquid, for example a quaternary ammonium groupand/or a quaternary phosphonium group, and/or a negatively chargedgroup, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, in particular alithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquid,and/or a sulfonate group, for example a sulfonylimide group and/or asulfonate group, for example a lithium sulfonylimide group and/or alithium sulfonate group.

For example, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/orR45′, or R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R100,R101, and/or R101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120,R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, orR140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182may stand for a positively charged group, in particular based on acation of an ionic liquid, for example for a pyridinium group and/or aquaternary ammonium group and/or an imidazolium group and/or apiperidinium group and/or a pyrrolidinium group and/or a quaternaryphosphonium group and/or a guanidinium group and/or a morpholinium groupand/or a uronium group and/or a thiouronium group, for example aquaternary ammonium group and/or a quaternary phosphonium group. The ionconductivity may optionally be further improved in this way.

In particular, R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210, R211, R212, R213,and/or R214 may stand for a negatively charged group, in particularbased on a conducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conductingsalt anion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, for example asulfonylimide group, and/or a sulfonate group, for example a lithiumsulfonylimide group and/or a lithium sulfonate group. For example, atleast one of moieties R200, R201, R202, and R203, or R210, R211, R212,213, and R214, for example at least two or three of moieties R200, R201,R202, and R203 or R210, R211, R212, R213, and R214, optionally allmoieties R200, R201, R202, and R203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, andR214, may stand for a negatively charged group, in particular based on aconducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion,and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, for example a sulfonylimide group,and/or a sulfonate group, for example a lithium sulfonylimide groupand/or a lithium sulfonate group. The ion conductivity may optionally befurther improved in this way.

R132 or R140 or R160 or R170 or R12 or R20, R21, and R22, or R31 or R40or R50, or R60, R61, and R62 may in each case independently stand for analkyl group and/or an alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, and/or an alkoxy group and/or a phenyleneoxide group, in particular an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or aphenoxy group and/or a phenylene group, in particular an oligophenylenegroup, and/or a phenyl group and/or a benzylene group, in particular anoligobenzylene group, and/or a benzyl group and/or a carbonyl groupand/or an in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate group and/or anin particular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group, inparticular a lactone group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbamate group.

R132 may in particular stand for or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbonate group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarboxylic acid ester group, in particular a lactone group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group, and/or an alkyl group,in particular a methyl group or an ethyl group, for example a methylgroup. The ion conductivity may advantageously be further improved inthis way.

R20 and/or R21, or R60 and/or R61, or R132 or R140 or R150 or R160 orR170 may in particular stand for an alkyl group, for example a methylgroup or an ethyl group, in particular a methyl group, and/or analkylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group. Thepolymer may advantageously be optimized with regard to itsion-conducting function by use of a short-chain alkyl group such as amethyl group.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, moieties R10, R11, R12,R13, and/or R14, or R20, R21, and/or R22, or R30, R31, R32, and/or R33,or R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, orR50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R60, R61,and/or R62, or R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112,and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131,R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′,R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210,R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 are partially or completely halogenated,in particular fluorinated. By halogenation, in particular fluorination,the polarity of the polymer may advantageously be influenced, and thesolubility of polysulfides by the polymer, in particular by alkyleneoxide groups, may possibly be reduced, which may be particularlyadvantageous when used in combination with a sulfur-carbon composite,for example a sulfur-polymer composite and/or carbon modificationcomposite, in particular a sulfur-polymer composite containing sulfurwhich is bound, for example covalently and/or ionically, in particularcovalently, to the polymer of the composite, for example asulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, for example a SPAN composite, ascathode material.

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, moietiesR10, R11, R12, R13, and/or R14, or R20, R21, and/or R22, or R30, R31,R32, and/or R33, or R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′,R45, and/or R45′, or R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/orR54′, or R60, R61, and/or R62, or R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110,R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, orR130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170,or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R200, R201, R202, and/orR203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 are substituted with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example an in particular quaternary ammonium groupand/or an in particular quaternary phosphonium group, and/or with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one sulfonylimide group,for example a lithium sulfonylimide group, and/or with at least onesulfonate group, for example a lithium sulfonate group. The ionconductivity may thus advantageously be further increased, in particularby ion dissociation or counterion solvation, for example lithium ionsolvation. In particular, R10, R11, R12, R13, and/or R14, or R20, R21,and/or R22, or R30, R31, R32, and/or R33, or R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′,R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, or R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′,R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R60, R61, and/or R62 may be substitutedwith at least one positively charged group, or R200, R201, R202, and/orR203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214, may be substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, for example which may be configuredin particular as described above, in particular within the scope ofgroups Q⁺ or Q⁻, in particular Q⁻, which are bound via spacer X.

Within the scope of one alternative or additional embodiment, moietiesR10, R11, R12, R13, and/or R14, or R20, R21, and/or R22, or R30, R31,R32, and/or R33, or R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′,R45, and/or R45′, or R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/orR54′, or R60, R61, and/or R62, or R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110,R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, orR130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170,or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R200, R201, R202, and/orR203, or R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 are substituted with atleast one oxygen-containing group, for example alkoxy group and/oralkylene oxide group, for example oligoalkylene oxide group, for exampleoligoethylene oxide group and/or oligopropylene oxide group, and/orketone group, for example alkylcarbonyl group, and/or carboxylic acidester group. The ion conductivity may thus advantageously be furtherincreased, since in particular oligoalkylene oxide groups, such asoligoethylene oxide groups, provide an option to, among other things,reduce the glass [transition] temperature of the polymer or polymerelectrolyte.

Aromatic groups, such as phenylene groups and benzylene groups,advantageously provide multiple substitution positions which may besubstituted with charged groups and/or oxygen-containing groups, andthus allow in particular the ion conductivity to be optimized.

For example, R10, R11, R13, and/or R14, or R30, R32, and/or R33, or R41,R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, or R51, R51′,R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R100, R101, and/or R101′, orR110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/orR121′, or R130, R130′, R131, and/or R131′, or R150, or R180, R180′,R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210,R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 may therefore in each case, for example,independently stand for hydrogen and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or may be substitutedwith at least one positively charged group, in particular based on acation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or with an alkyl groupsubstituted with at least one oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone alkylene oxide group substituted with an oxygen-containing group,for example an ethylene oxide group or propylene oxide group, inparticular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group or oligopropylene oxide group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone alkoxy group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenylene oxide group substituted with an oxygen-containing group,for example an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenoxy group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenylene group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, forexample an oligophenylene group, and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with at least onepositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium group and/orphosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least one negativelycharged group, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, forexample a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimide group and/orlithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at least one phenylgroup substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone benzylene group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, forexample an oligobenzylene group, and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with at least onepositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium group and/orphosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least one negativelycharged group, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, forexample a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimide group and/orlithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at least one benzylgroup substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or a carbonylgroup, in particular a ketone group, for example an alkylcarbonyl group,and/or a partially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated,group, and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particularbased on a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least onequaternary ammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substitutedwith at least one negatively charged group, in particular based on aconducting salt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion,and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, for example with at least onelithium sulfonylimide group and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/orsubstituted with at least one in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarbonate group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester groupsubstituted with an oxygen-containing group, in particular a lactonegroup, and/or a partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, group, and/or with at least one positively charged group,in particular based on a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with atleast one quaternary ammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/orsubstituted with at least one negatively charged group, in particularbased on a conducting salt anion, for example a lithium conducting saltanion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, for example with at least onelithium sulfonylimide group and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/orsubstituted with at least one in particular cyclic and/or acycliccarbamate group substituted with an oxygen-containing group. R12 or R20,R21, and/or R21, or R31 or R40 or R50, or R60, R61, and/or R62, or R132or R140 or R160 or R170 may therefore in each case, for example,independently stand for a partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, group, and/or may be substituted with at leastone positively charged group, in particular based on a cation of anionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone alkyl group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone alkylene oxide group substituted with an oxygen-containing group,for example an ethylene oxide group or propylene oxide group, inparticular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group or oligopropylene oxide group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone alkoxy group substituted with an oxygen-containing group and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenylene oxide group substituted with an oxygen-containing group,for example an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenoxy group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone phenylene group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, forexample an oligophenylene group, and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with at least onepositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium group and/orphosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least one negativelycharged group, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, forexample a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimide group and/orlithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at least one phenylgroup substituted with an oxygen-containing group, and/or a partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with atleast one positively charged group, in particular based on a cation ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium groupand/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least onenegatively charged group, in particular based on a conducting saltanion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion ofan ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone benzylene group substituted with an oxygen-containing group, forexample an oligobenzylene group, and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with at least onepositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium group and/orphosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least one negativelycharged group, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, forexample a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimide group and/orlithium sulfonate group, substituted [with at least one] benzyl group[substituted with an oxygen-containing group], and/or a carbonyl group,in particular a ketone group, for example alkylcarbonyl group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate group substituted withan oxygen-containing group, and/or a partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, group, and/or with at least onepositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one quaternary ammonium group and/orphosphonium group, and/or substituted with at least one negativelycharged group, in particular based on a conducting salt anion, forexample a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anion of an ionicliquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimide group and/orlithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at least one inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group substitutedwith an oxygen-containing group, in particular a lactone group, and/or apartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, group,and/or with at least one positively charged group, in particular basedon a cation of an ionic liquid, for example with at least one quaternaryammonium group and/or phosphonium group, and/or substituted with atleast one negatively charged group, in particular based on a conductingsalt anion, for example a lithium conducting salt anion, and/or an anionof an ionic liquid, for example with at least one lithium sulfonylimidegroup and/or lithium sulfonate group, and/or substituted with at leastone in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group substituted withan oxygen-containing group.

For example, R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110, R111, R111′, R112,and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131,and/or R131′, or R150 or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182, or R10,R11, R13, and/or R14, or R30, R32, and/or R33, or R41, R41′, R42, R42′,R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, or R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53,R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210, R211,R212, R213, and/or R214 may in each case independently stand forhydrogen and/or a halogen atom, in particular fluorine, or an alkylgroup and/or an alkylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, and/or an alkoxy group and/or a phenylene oxide group, inparticular an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or a phenoxy group and/ora phenylene group, in particular an oligophenylene group, and/or aphenyl group and/or a benzylene group, in particular an oligobenzylenegroup, and/or a benzyl group and/or a carbonyl group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group, inparticular a lactone group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbamate group, and/or a charged group, for example apositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example a quaternary ammonium group and/or a quaternaryphosphonium group, and/or a negatively charged group, in particularbased on a conducting salt anion, for example a lithium conducting saltanion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, and/or a sulfonate group, forexample a lithium sulfonylimide group and/or lithium sulfonate group.

R132 or R140 or R160 or R170 or R12 or R20, R21 and R22, or R31 or R40or R50, or R60, R61, and R62 may in each case independently stand for analkyl group and/or an alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, and/or an alkoxy group and/or a phenyleneoxide group, in particular an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or aphenoxy group and/or a phenylene group, in particular an oligophenylenegroup, and/or a phenyl group and/or a benzylene group, in particular anoligobenzylene group, and/or a benzyl group and/or a carbonyl groupand/or an in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate group, and/or anin particular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group and/oran in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate group.

Within the scope of one particular specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer includes at least onerepeating unit, based on a cyclic carbonate, of the general chemicalformula:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit, based on alactone, of the general chemical formula:

for example

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit based on a cycliccarbamate, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit based on analkylene oxide, in particular ethylene oxide, of the general chemicalformula:

In this regard, n_(IV) or n_(IX) stands for the number of ethylene oxideunits. For example, the following relationships may apply: 1≤n_(IV)≤15,for example 2≤n_(IV)≤6, or 1≤n_(IX)≤15, for example 2≤n_(IX)≤6.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit based on based onan acyclic carbonate, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit based on anacyclic carboxylic acid ester, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularspecific embodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the atleast one polymer includes at least one repeating unit based on anacyclic carbamate, of the general chemical formula:

-[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-,-[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, or -[A_(IX)]- stands in particular for apolymer backbone-forming unit. (X_(I)), (X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)),(X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), or (X_(IX)) stands inparticular for a spacer. xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, orxix stands for the number, in particular the presence or the absence, of(particular) spacers. In particular, xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii,xviii, or xix may be 1 or 0, for example 1.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, or-[A_(IX)]- may be configured, for example, as described in conjunctionwith polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(I)), (X_(II)),(X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), or(X_(IX)) may be configured, for example, as described in conjunctionwith spacer X. R100, R101, R101′, R110, R111, R111′, R112, R112′, R120,R120′, R121, R121′, R130, R130′, R131, R131′, R132, R140, R150, R160,R180, R180′, R181, R181′, R182, and/or R170 may likewise be configured,for example, as described above.

X_(I) or X_(II) or X_(III) or X_(IV) or X_(V) or X_(VI) or X_(VII) orX_(VIII) or X_(IX) may, for example, stand for an in particularsaturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, forexample of the general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤10,for example 1≤a1≤4, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, for example partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, for example anoligoalkylene oxide spacer, in particular an (oligo)ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≤1 or ≤2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10,for example 2≤b≤4, and/or —(CH₂)_(a2)—O—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b2)—(CH₂)_(a2′)—,where 1≤a2≥3, 1≤b2≤10, in particular 1≤b2≤4, and 1≤a2′≤3, and/or acharged group, for example a positively charged group, in particularbased on a cation of an ionic liquid, for example a pyridinium groupand/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or a negatively charged group,for example a sulfonylimide group and/or sulfonate group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group, and/ora charged group, for example a positively charged group, for example aquaternary ammonium group, and/or a negatively charged group, forexample a sulfonylimide group and/or sulfonate group, and/or a benzylenegroup, for example a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkylgroup and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group, and/or a chargedgroup, for example a positively charged group, in particular based on acation of an ionic liquid, for example a quaternary ammonium group,and/or a negatively charged group, for example a sulfonylimide groupand/or sulfonate group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group.

R100, R101, and/or R101, or R110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, orR120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/orR132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′, R181, R181′,and/or R182 may, for example, in each case independently stand forhydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or 1≤a1*≤10, for example 0≤ or 1≤a1*≤3,and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched,for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group,in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group, in particular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5 repeating units, and/or a charged group, for examplea positively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and/or a negatively charged group, for example a sulfonylimidegroup and/or sulfonate group, and/or a phenylene group, for example aphenylene group substituted with at least one alkyl group and/oralkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group, and/or a charged group, forexample a positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and/or a negatively charged group, for example a sulfonylimidegroup and/or sulfonate group, and/or a benzylene group, for example abenzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl group and/oralkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group, and/or a charged group, forexample a positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and/or a negatively charged group, for example a sulfonylimidegroup and/or sulfonate group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group.

For example, at least two of moieties R100, R101, and/or R101, or R110,R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, orR130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170,or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182, optionally all moieties R100,R101, and/or R101, or R110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120,R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and/or R132, orR140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′, R181, R181′, and/or R182,may stand for different groups, for example alkyl groups and/oroligoalkylene oxide groups, for example with different lengths and/orsubstitutions and/or degrees of saturation and/or degrees of branchingand/or degrees of halogenation, in particular degrees of fluorination.In particular, R100, R101, and/or R101, or R110, R111, R111′, R112,and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, or R130, R130′, R131,R131′, and/or R132, or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170, or R180, R180′,R181, R181′, and/or R182 may in each case independently stand forhydrogen or a methyl group or an ethyl group or an in particularsaturated alkyl group having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤10 carbon atoms,for example ≥3 to ≤5 carbon atoms.

R132 or R140 or R150 or R160 or R170 may in particular stand for analkyl group, for example a methyl group or ethyl group, in particular amethyl group, and/or an alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group. The polymer may advantageously be optimizedwith regard to its ion-conducting function by use of a short-chain alkylgroup such as a methyl group. In particular, R132 or R140 or R150 orR160 or R170 may stand for a methyl group.

In particular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,[A_(e)], -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, or repeating unit([A]-X-Q) may include or be a methacrylate unit, for example of thegeneral chemical formula:

and/or a methyl methacrylate unit, for example of the general chemicalformula:

and/or a siloxane unit, for example of the general formula:

in particular where R stands for an alkyl group, for example a methyl,ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example a methyl group, for example ofthe general chemical formula:

and/or a phosphazene unit, for example of the general chemical formula:

in particular where R′ stands for hydrogen or (preferably) for an alkylgroup, for example a methyl, ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example amethyl group, and/or a siloxane alkylene oxide unit, for example asiloxane ethylene oxide unit, for example of the general chemicalformula:

in particular where xq denotes binding site/s or stands for XQ. Lowglass transition temperatures may advantageously be achieved by use ofpolysiloxanes, polyphosphazenes, and/or polymers made up of siloxanealkylene oxide units. Polymethacrylates and/or polymethyl methacrylatesmay advantageously be synthetically obtained comparatively easily.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-,-[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-,-[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may, for example, stand for analkylene oxide unit, for example an ethylene oxide unit and/or apropylene oxide unit, in particular an ethylene oxide unit, and/or analkylene unit and/or a unit which includes a carbonate group, and/or amethacrylate unit and/or a methyl methacrylate unit and/or a siloxaneunit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or a phenylene unit, for example aphenylene oxide unit, and/or a benzylene unit. For example, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-,-[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-,-[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand for an alkylene oxideunit, for example an ethylene oxide unit and/or a propylene oxide unit,in particular an ethylene oxide unit, and/or an alkylene unit and/or aunit which includes a carbonate group, and/or a methacrylate unit and/ora methyl methacrylate unit and/or a siloxane unit and/or a phosphazeneunit and/or a phenylene unit, for example a phenylene oxide unit. Inparticular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand for a siloxaneunit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or a methacrylate unit and/or amethyl methacrylate unit and/or a phenylene unit, for example a siloxaneunit. For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand for a siloxaneunit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or a methacrylate unit and/or amethyl methacrylate unit.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-,-[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-,-[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- stands for a polyfunctionalized, forexample bifunctionalized, trifunctionalized, or tetrafunctionalized,polymer backbone-forming unit. For example, polymer backbone-formingunit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-,-[A_(V)]-[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-,-[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or-[A_(Z1)]- may stand for at least one polyfunctionalized, for examplebifunctionalized, siloxane unit and/or one polyfunctionalized, forexample bifunctionalized or tetrafunctionalized, phosphazene unit and/orone polyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized, phenylene unit.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)], -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, [A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- or repeating unit ([A]-X-Q)stands for a polyfunctionalized, for example bifunctionalized ortetrafunctionalized, polymer backbone-forming unit of the generalchemical formula:

xq may in each case stand for a binding site, in particular to which agroup Q, for example Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, is bound in each case to polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- via a spacer X, in particular X_(x), or ineach case may stand for XQ, i.e., in each case may stand for a group Q,for example Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, and a spacer X, in particular X_(x). R′ mayin particular stand for hydrogen or (preferably) for an alkyl group, forexample a methyl, ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example a methylgroup.

At binding sites xq, a cyclic carbonate group, substituted with R100,R101, and R101′, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-viaa spacer (X_(I))_(xi).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a lactone group, substituted withR110, R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, in particular of the generalchemical formula:

for example

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(II)]-via a spacer (X_(II))_(xii).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a cyclic carbamate group,substituted with R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, in particular of thegeneral chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(III)]-via a spacer (X_(III))_(xiii).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an alkylene oxide group, substitutedwith R130, R130′, R131, R131′, and R132, in particular of the generalchemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(IV)]-via a spacer (X_(IV))_(xiv).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an acyclic carbonate group,substituted with R140, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(V)]-viaa spacer (X_(V))_(xv).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an acyclic carboxylic acid estergroup, substituted with R150, in particular of the general chemicalformula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(VI)]-via a spacer (X_(VI))_(xvi).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an acyclic carbamate group,substituted with R160, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(VII)]-via a spacer (X_(VII))_(xvii).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an acyclic carbamate group,substituted with R170, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(VIII)]-via a spacer (X_(VIII))_(xviii).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an acyclic alkylene oxide group,substituted with R180, R180′, R181, R181,′ and R182, in particular ofthe general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(IX)]-via a spacer (X_(IX))_(xix).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a pyridinium group, substituted withR10, R11, R12, R13, and R14, in particular of the general chemicalformula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(a)]-viaa spacer (X_(a))_(xa).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an ammonium group, substituted withR20, R21, and R22, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(b)]-viaa spacer (X_(b))_(xb).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, an imidazolium group, substitutedwith R30, R31, R32, and R33, in particular of the general chemicalformula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(c)]-viaa spacer (X_(c))_(xc).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a piperidinium group, substitutedwith R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and R45′, inparticular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(d)]-viaa spacer (X_(d))_(xd).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a pyrrolidinium group, substitutedwith R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54 and R54′, in particularof the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(e)]-viaa spacer (X_(e))_(xe).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a phosphonium group, substitutedwith R60, R61, and R62, in particular of the general chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(f)]-viaa spacer (X_(f))_(xf).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a benzenesulfonate group,substituted with R200, R201, R202, and R203, in particular of thegeneral chemical formula:

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(Z)]-viaa spacer (X_(Z))_(xz).

Alternatively, at binding sites xq, a para-benzenesulfonylimide group,for example a para-trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group,substituted with R210, R211, R212, R213, and R214, in particular of thegeneral chemical formula:

for example

may in each case be bound to polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(Z1)]-via a spacer (X_(Z1))_(xz1).

Polymer backbone-forming units -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, or-[A_(IX)]-, as well as polymer backbone-forming units -[A_(a)]-,-[A_(b)]-, [A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, and/or-[A_(Z1)]-, of the particular embodiments described below may include analkylene oxide unit, for example an ethylene oxide unit, for example ofthe general chemical formula:

or an alkylene unit, for example an ethylene unit and/or propylene unit,for example of the general chemical formula:

and/or a carbonate unit, and/or a methacrylate unit, for example of thegeneral chemical formula:

and/or a methyl methacrylate unit, for example of the general chemicalformula:

and/or a siloxane unit, for example of the general formula:

in particular where R stands for an alkyl group, for example a methyl,ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example a methyl group, for example

and/or a phosphazene unit, for example of the general chemical formula:

in particular where R′ stands for hydrogen or (preferably) for an alkylgroup, for example a methyl, ethyl, and/or propyl group, for example amethyl group, and/or a siloxane alkylene oxide unit, for example asiloxane ethylene oxide unit, for example of the general chemicalformula:

and/or a phenylene unit, in particular a polyphenylene, for example apara-polyphenylene, for example having an ether function, for example ofthe general chemical formula:

in particular where xq denotes the binding site/s or stands for XQ.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on pyridinium, of thegeneral chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(a)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(a)) stands for a spacer. xa stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(a)). xa may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(a)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(a)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R10, R11, R12, R13,and/or R14 may likewise be configured, for example, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(a)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤12, for example1≤a1≤3, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, for example of the general chemical formula:—CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 1≤b1≤4, and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a further pyridinium groupand/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or a phenylene group, forexample a phenylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, for example abenzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl group and/oralkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a further positivelycharged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group, substitutedbenzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example an alkylcarbonylgroup.

R12 in particular stands for an in particular saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, for example partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkyl group, in particular having a chain lengthof ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 1≤a1*≤15, for example 8≤a1*≤12, and/or an inparticular saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for examplepartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkyleneoxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, inparticular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to≤5 repeating units, and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a further pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group,and/or a phenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted withat least one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy groupand/or a further positively charged group, for example a quaternaryammonium group, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group,for example a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. For example, R12 may stand for a saturated alkylgroup, in particular having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms.For example, R12 may stand for a saturated alkyl group having a chainlength of ≥9 to ≤13 carbon atoms, for example an undecyl group(—C₁₁H₂₃).

R10, R11, R13, and/or R14 may, for example, in each case independentlystand for hydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linearor branched, for example partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemicalformula: —(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 1≤a1*≤15, for example 1≤a1*≤3, forexample a methyl group or an ethyl group, and/or an in particularsaturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene oxide group,for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, in particularwith ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5repeating units, and/or a further positively charged group, for examplea further pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two, for example at leastthree, of moieties R10, R11, R12, R13, and R14, optionally all moietiesR10, R11, R12, R13, and R14, may stand for different groups, for examplealkyl groups and/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example withdifferent lengths and/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturationand/or degrees of branching and/or degrees of halogenation, inparticular degrees of fluorination.

The following are examples of such embodiments:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on ammonium, of thegeneral chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(b)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(b)) stands for a spacer. xb stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(b)). xb may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(b)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(b)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R20, R21, and/or R22may likewise be configured, for example, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(b)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤12, for example1≤a1≤3, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, for example of the general chemical formula:—CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 1≤b1≤4, and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a pyridinium group and/ora quaternary ammonium group, and/or a phenylene group, for example aphenylene group substituted with at least one alkyl group and/oralkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a further positivelycharged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group, substitutedphenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, for example a benzylene groupsubstituted with at least one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide groupand/or alkoxy group and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a quaternary ammonium group, substituted benzylene group, and/ora ketone group, for example an alkylcarbonyl group.

R20, R21, and R22 may, for example, in each case independently stand forhydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 1≤a1*≤15, for example 1≤a1*≤3 and/or 8≤a1*≤12,for example a methyl group or an ethyl group, and/or an in particularsaturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene oxide group,for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, in particularwith ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5repeating units, and/or a further positively charged group, for examplea pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two of moieties R20, R21, andR22, optionally all moieties R20, R21, and R22, may stand for differentgroups, for example alkyl groups and/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, forexample with different lengths and/or substitutions and/or degrees ofsaturation and/or degrees of branching and/or degrees of halogenation,in particular degrees of fluorination.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, R20 and R21 stand for inparticular saturated alkyl groups, which are the same or different,having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤4 carbon atoms, for example a methylgroup, and R22 stands for an in particular saturated alkyl group havinga chain length of ≥9 to ≤13 carbon atoms, for example an undecyl group(—C₁₁H₂₃).

The following are examples of such embodiments:

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on imidazolium, ofthe general chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(c)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(c)) stands for a spacer. xc stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(c)). xc may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(c)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(c)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R30, R31, R32,and/or R33 may likewise be configured, for example, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(c)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤12, for example3≤a1≤5, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or a further positively charged group, for example a pyridiniumgroup and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or a phenylene group, forexample a phenylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, for example abenzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl group and/oralkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a further positivelycharged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group, substitutedbenzylene group, for example of the general chemical formula:

where 1≤z1≤4, and/or a ketone group, for example an alkylcarbonyl group.

R30, R32, and/or R33 may, for example, in each case independently standfor hydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤15, for example 0≤ or 1≤ or2≤a1*≤4, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group,in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group, in particular with ≤1 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5 repeating units, and/or a further positively chargedgroup, for example a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and/or a phenylene group, for example a phenylene groupsubstituted with at least one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide groupand/or alkoxy group and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a quaternary ammonium group, substituted phenylene group, and/ora benzylene group, for example a benzylene group substituted with atleast one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy groupand/or a further positively charged group, for example a quaternaryammonium group, substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, forexample an alkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two, for exampleat least three, of moieties R30, R31, R32, and R33, optionally allmoieties R30, R31, R32, and R33, may stand for different groups, forexample alkyl groups and/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example withdifferent lengths and/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturationand/or degrees of branching and/or degrees of halogenation, inparticular degrees of fluorination. In particular, R30, R31, R32, andR33 may in each case independently stand for hydrogen or a methyl groupor an alkyl group having a chain length of ≥2 to ≤15 carbon atoms, forexample ≥2 to ≤4 carbon atoms. R31 may in particular stand for a methylgroup.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on based onpiperidinium, of the general chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(d)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(d)) stands for a spacer. xd stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(d)). xd may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(d)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(d)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R40, R41, R41′, R42,R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′ may likewise be configured,for example, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(d)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example3≤a1≤5, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith 1 or 2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: [CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b), where 1≤b1≤10,for example 2≤b1≤4, and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. In particular, spacer X may be a saturated alkylspacer having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤15 carbon atoms, for example ≥3to ≤5 carbon atoms.

R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′ may,for example, in each case independently stand for hydrogen or an inparticular saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for examplepartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylgroup, for example of the general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃,where 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤15, for example 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤4, and/or anin particular saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for examplepartially or completely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkyleneoxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, inparticular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to≤5 repeating units, and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two, for example at leastthree, of moieties R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45,and/or R45′, optionally all moieties R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43,R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, may stand for different groups, forexample alkyl groups and/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example withdifferent lengths and/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturationand/or degrees of branching and/or degrees of halogenation, inparticular degrees of fluorination. In particular, R40, R41, R41′, R42,R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′ may in each caseindependently stand for hydrogen or a methyl group or an alkyl grouphaving a chain length of ≥2 to ≤15 carbon atoms, for example ≥2 to ≤4carbon atoms. R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/orR45′ may in particular stand for hydrogen. R40 may in particular standfor a methyl group.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on pyrrolidinium, ofthe general chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(e)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(e)) stands for a spacer. xe stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(e)). xe may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(e)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(e)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R50, R51, R51′, R52,R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′ may likewise be configured, forexample, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(e)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example3≤a1≤5, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 1≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10,for example 2≤b≤4, and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. In particular, spacer X may be a saturated alkylspacer having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤15 carbon atoms, for example ≥3to ≤5 carbon atoms.

R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′ may, for example,in each case independently stand for hydrogen or an in particularsaturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkyl group, forexample of the general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or1≤ or 2≤a1*≤15, for example 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤4, and/or an in particularsaturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially orcompletely halogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene oxide group,for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, in particularwith ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5repeating units, and/or a further positively charged group, for examplea pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two, for example at leastthree, of moieties R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, and/orR54′, optionally all moieties R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54,and/or R54′, may stand for different groups, for example alkyl groupsand/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example with different lengthsand/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturation and/or degrees ofbranching and/or degrees of halogenation, in particular degrees offluorination. In particular, R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54,and/or R54′ may in each case independently stand for hydrogen or amethyl group or an alkyl group having a chain length of ≥2 to ≤15 carbonatoms, for example ≥2 to ≤4 carbon atoms. R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53,R53′, R54, and/or R54′ may in particular stand for hydrogen. R50 may inparticular stand for a methyl group or an ethyl group.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on phosphonium, ofthe general chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(f)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(f)) stands for a spacer. xf stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(f)). xf may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(f)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(f)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R60, R61, and/or R62may likewise be configured, for example, as described above.

Z⁻ may in particular stand for perchlorate and/ortrifluoromethanesulfonate and/or tetrafluoroborate and/orbisoxalatoborate and/or hexafluorophosphate and/orbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or difluorooxalatoborate and/orbromide and/or iodide and/or chloride.

(X_(f)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example2≤a1≤8, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10,for example 2≤b≤4, and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammonium group, and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or afurther positively charged group, for example a quaternary ammoniumgroup, substituted phenylene group, and/or a benzylene group, forexample a benzylene group substituted with at least one alkyl groupand/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy group and/or a furtherpositively charged group, for example a quaternary ammonium group,substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, for example analkylcarbonyl group. In particular, spacer X may be a saturated alkylspacer having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, for example ≥3to ≤9 carbon atoms.

R60, R61, and R61 may, for example, in each case independently stand forhydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemical formula:—(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤15, for example 0≤ or 1≤ or2≤a1*≤4, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group,in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group, in particular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5 repeating units, and/or a further positively chargedgroup, for example a pyridinium group and/or a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and/or a phenylene group, for example a phenylene groupsubstituted with at least one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide groupand/or alkoxy group and/or a further positively charged group, forexample a quaternary ammonium group, substituted phenylene group, and/ora benzylene group, for example a benzylene group substituted with atleast one alkyl group and/or alkylene oxide group and/or alkoxy groupand/or a further positively charged group, for example a quaternaryammonium group, substituted benzylene group, and/or a ketone group, forexample an alkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two of moietiesR60, R61, and R61, optionally all moieties R60, R61, and R61, may standfor different groups, for example alkyl groups and/or oligoalkyleneoxide groups, for example with different lengths and/or substitutionsand/or degrees of saturation and/or degrees of branching and/or degreesof halogenation, in particular degrees of fluorination. In particular,R60, R61, and R61 may in each case independently stand for an alkylgroup having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, for example ≥3 to≤[ ]¹ carbon atoms. ¹ T.N.: Numeral is missing in source document

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on benzenesulfonate,of the general chemical formula:

In this regard, -[A_(Z)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(Z)) stands for a spacer. xz stands for the number, in particular thepresence or the absence, of spacers (X_(Z)). xz may in particular be 1or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(Z)]- may beconfigured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(Z)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R200, R201, R202,and/or R203 may likewise be configured, for example, as described above.

Z⁺ may in particular stand for a cation, in particular a metal cation,for example an alkali ion, for example a lithium ion and/or sodium ion,in particular a lithium ion (Li⁺).

(X_(Z)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example1≤a1≤3, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10,for example 2≤b≤4, and/or —(CH₂)_(a2)—O—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b2)—(CH₂)_(a2′)—,where 1≤a2≤3, 1≤b2≤10, in particular 1≤b2≤4, and 1≤a2′≤3, and/or afurther lithium sulfonate group and/or a phenylene group, for example aphenylene group substituted with at least one lithium sulfonate group(phenylene-sulfonate unit), and/or a benzylene group, for example abenzylene group substituted with at least one lithium sulfonate group,and/or a ketone group, for example an alkylcarbonyl group, and/or anether oxygen.

R200, R201, R202, and R203 may, for example, in each case independentlystand for hydrogen or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linearor branched, for example partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkyl group, for example of the general chemicalformula: —(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or 1≤ or 2≤a1*≤15, for example1≤a1*≤2, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethylene oxide group,in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethyleneoxide group, in particular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5 repeating units, and/or a further negatively chargedgroup, for example a lithium sulfonate group, and/or a phenylene group,for example a phenylene group substituted with at least one negativegroup, for example a lithium sulfonate group, and/or a benzylene group,for example a benzylene group substituted with least one negative group,for example a lithium sulfonate group, and/or a ketone group, forexample an alkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two of moietiesR200, R201, R202, and R203, optionally all moieties R200, R201, R202,and R203, may stand for different groups, for example alkyl groupsand/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example with different lengthsand/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturation and/or degrees ofbranching and/or degrees of halogenation, in particular degrees offluorination. In particular, R200, R201, R202, and R203 may in each caseindependently stand for hydrogen or a lithium sulfonate group or analkyl group, in particular substituted with at least one lithiumsulfonate group, having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤15 carbon atoms, forexample ≥1 to ≥2 carbon atoms, for example of the general chemicalformula: —(CH₂)_(s1)—SO₃Li, where 0≤s1≤15, for example 0≤s1≤2. Inparticular, R200, R201, R202, and R203 may in each case independentlystand for hydrogen, an in particular saturated, for example partially orcompletely sulfonated and/or halogenated, in particular fluorinated,alkyl group having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16 carbon atoms, for example≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 carbon atoms, and/or a, for example partially orcompletely sulfonated and/or halogenated, in particular fluorinated,alkylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, forexample an oligoethylene oxide group.

In particular, R200, R201, R202, and/or R203 may be substituted with atleast one sulfonate group, in particular a lithium sulfonate group.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least onepolymer includes at least one repeating unit based on atrifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, of the general chemicalformula:

for example

In this regard, -[A_(Z1)]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(Z1)) stands for a spacer. xz1 stands for the number, in particularthe presence or the absence, of spacers (X_(Z1)). xz1 may in particularbe 1 or 0, for example 1. Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(Z1)]- maybe configured, for example, as described in conjunction with polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-. Spacer (X_(Z1)) may be configured, forexample, as described in conjunction with spacer X. R210, R211, R212,R213, and/or R214 may likewise be configured, for example, as describedabove.

Z⁺ may in particular stand for a cation, in particular a metal cation,for example an alkali ion, for example a lithium ion and/or sodium ion,in particular a lithium ion (Li⁺).

(X_(Z1)) may in particular stand for an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkylene spacer, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1)—, where 1≤a1≤15, for example1≤a1≤3, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated, linear orbranched, for example partially or completely halogenated, in particularfluorinated, alkylene oxide spacer, in particular an ethylene oxidespacer, in particular with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤10 repeating units, for examplewith ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 repeating units, for example of the general chemicalformula: —CH₂—[CH₂—CH₂—O]_(b1)—CH₂—, where 1≤b1≤10, for example 2≤b1≤4,and/or of the general chemical formula: —[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b), where 1≤b≤10,for example 2≤b≤4, and/or —(CH₂)_(a2)—O—[CH₂—CH₂—O—]_(b2)—(CH₂)_(a2′)—,where 1≤a2≤3, 1≤b2≤10, in particular 1≤b2≤4, and 1≤a2′≤3, and/or afurther lithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group and/or aphenylene group, for example a phenylene group substituted with at leastone lithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group(phenylene-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imidebenzene unit), and/or abenzylene group, for example a benzylene group substituted with at leastone lithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, and/or a ketonegroup, for example an alkylcarbonyl group, and/or an ether oxygen.

R210, R211, R212, R213, and R214 may, for example, in each caseindependently stand for hydrogen or an in particular saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, for example partially or completelyhalogenated, in particular fluorinated, alkyl group, for example of thegeneral chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(a1*)—CH₃, where 0≤ or 1≤a1*≤15, forexample 1≤a1*≤2, and/or an in particular saturated or unsaturated,linear or branched, for example partially or completely halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkylene oxide group, for example an ethyleneoxide group, in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, for example anoligoethylene oxide group, in particular with ≥1 to ≤10 repeating units,for example with ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤5 repeating units, and/or a furtherlithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group and/or a phenylenegroup, for example a phenylene group substituted with at least onelithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, and/or a benzylenegroup, for example a benzylene group substituted with at least onelithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, and/or a ketonegroup, for example an alkylcarbonyl group. For example, at least two ofmoieties R210, R211, R212, R213, and R214, optionally all moieties R210,R211, R212, R213, and R214, may stand for different groups, for examplealkyl groups and/or oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example withdifferent lengths and/or substitutions and/or degrees of saturationand/or degrees of branching and/or degrees of halogenation, inparticular degrees of fluorination. In particular, R210, R211, R212,R213, and R214 may in each case independently stand for hydrogen or alithium trifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, or an alkyl group,in particular substituted with at least one lithiumtrifluoromethanesulfonylimidebenzene group, having a chain length of ≥1to ≤15 carbon atoms, for example ≥1 to ≥2 carbon atoms, for example ofthe general chemical formula: —(CH₂)_(s2)—SO₂NSO₂CF₃Li, where 0≤s2≤15,for example 0≤s2≤2. In particular, R210, R211, R212, R213, and R214 mayin each case independently stand for hydrogen, an in particularsaturated, for example partially or completely,bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide-substituted and/or halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkyl group having a chain length of ≥1 to ≤16carbon atoms, for example ≥1 or ≥2 to ≤4 carbon atoms, and/or a, forexample partially or completely,bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide-substituted and/or halogenated, inparticular fluorinated, alkylene oxide group, in particular anoligoalkylene oxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group.

In particular, R210, R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 may be configured inthe form of a further sulfonylimide group, for example atrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group, in particular a lithiumtrifluoromethanesulfonylimide group. In particular, polymer backbone-[A_(Z)]- or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand for a phenylene unit, in particular apolyphenylene, for example a para-polyphenylene, for example having anether function, for example of the general chemical formula:

in particular where xq denotes the binding site/s or stands for XQ.

The polymer may include, for example, at least one, for exampleunsubstituted, further phenylene unit and/or at least one furtherphenylene unit substituted with at least one lithium sulfonate group.For example, polymer backbone -[A_(Z)]- or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand for aphenylene unit of the general chemical formula:

where n and n* stand for the repetition numbers of the unsubstitutedphenylene unit, and are 0≤n≤3 and 0≤n*≤3, for example, in particularwhere xq denotes the binding site/s or stands for XQ.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularembodiment, the polymer, in particular the at least one first repeatingunit -[A₁]-, includes or is based on a repeating unit, based on a singlyor multiply sulfonated polyphenylene, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer includes at least onerepeating unit of the general chemical formula:

for example

for example

In this regard, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-,-[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-,-[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or-[A_(Z1)]- stands in particular for a polymer backbone-forming unit.(X_(I)), (X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)),(X_(VIII)), (X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d)) (X_(e)),(X_(f)), (X_(Z)), or (X_(Z1)) stands in particular for a spacer. xi,xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, xa, xb, xc, xd, xe, xf, or xzstands for the number, in particular the presence or the absence, of(particular) spacers. In particular, xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii,xviii, xix, xa, xb, xc, xd, xe, xf, or xz may stand for 1 or 0, forexample 1. n_(IV) stands for the number of ethylene oxide units, and isin particular 1≤n_(IV)≤15, for example 2≤n_(IV)≤6. n_(IX) stands for thenumber of ethylene oxide units, and in particular is 1≤n_(IX)≤15, forexample 2≤n_(IX)≤6.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-,-[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-,-[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-,-[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may be configured, for example, asdescribed in conjunction with polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-.Spacer (X_(I)), (X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)),(X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), (X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d))(X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)), or (X_(Z1)) may be configured, for example,as described in conjunction with spacer X. R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R20,R21, R22, R30, R31, R32, R33, R40, R41, R41′, R42, R42′, R43, R43′, R44,R44′, R45, R45′, R50, R51, R51′, R52, R52′, R53, R53′, R54, R54′, R60,R61, R62, R100, R101, R101′, R110, R111, R111′, R112, R112′, R120,R120′, R121, R121′, R130, R130′, R131, R131′, R132, R140, R150, R160,R170, R180, R180′, R181, R181′, R182, R200, R201, R202, R203, R210,R211, R212, R213, and/or R214 may likewise be configured, for example,as described above.

Spacer (X_(I)), (X_(II)), (X_(III)), (X_(IV)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)),(X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), (X_(IX)), (X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d)),(X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)), or (X_(Z1)) may in particular, as describedin conjunction with spacer X, include at least one alkylene oxide group,for example an ethylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, for example an oligoethylene oxide group, or may be analkylene oxide spacer, for example an ethylene oxide spacer, inparticular an oligoalkylene oxide spacer, for example an oligoethyleneoxide spacer.

For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand (at least) foran alkylene oxide unit, in particular an ethylene oxide unit and/orpropylene oxide unit, and/or an alkylene unit and/or a unit whichincludes a carbonate group, and/or a methacrylate unit and/or a methylmethacrylate unit and/or a siloxane unit and/or a phosphazene unitand/or a phenylene unit. For example, polymer backbone-forming unit-[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-,-[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)], -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)],-[A_(d)], -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand (atleast) for a siloxane unit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or amethacrylate unit and/or a methyl methacrylate unit and/or a phenyleneunit. In particular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- may stand (at least) fora siloxane unit and/or a phosphazene unit and/or a methacrylate unitand/or a methyl methacrylate unit.

R10, R11, R13, and/or R14, or R30, R32, and/or R33, or R41, R41′, R42,R42′, R43, R43′, R44, R44′, R45, and/or R45′, or R51, R51′, R52, R52′,R53, R53′, R54, and/or R54′, or R200, R201, R202, and/or R203, or R210,R211, R212, R213, and/or R214, or R100, R101, and/or R101′, or R110,R111, R111′, R112, and/or R112′, or R120, R120′, R121, and/or R121′, orR130, R130′, R131, and/or R131′, or R150 or R180, R180′, R181, R181′,and/or R182 may in particular in each case independently stand forhydrogen and/or a halogen atom, in particular fluorine, and/or an alkylgroup and/or an alkylene oxide group, in particular an oligoalkyleneoxide group, and/or an alkoxy group and/or a phenylene oxide group, inparticular an oligophenylene oxide group, and/or a phenoxy group and/ora phenylene group, in particular an oligophenylene group, and/or aphenyl group and/or a benzylene group, in particular an oligobenzylenegroup, and/or a benzyl group and/or a carbonyl group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonate group, and/or an inparticular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester group, inparticular a lactone group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/oracyclic carbamate group, and/or a charged group, for example apositively charged group, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example a quaternary ammonium group and/or a quaternaryphosphonium group, and/or a negatively charged group, in particularbased on a conducting salt anion, in particular a lithium conductingsalt anion, and/or an anion of an ionic liquid, in particular asulfonylimide group, and/or a sulfonate group, for example a lithiumsulfonate group and/or a lithium sulfonate group.

R12 or R20, R21, and R22, or R31 or R40 or R50, or R60, R61, and R62, orR132 or R140 or R160 or R170 may in particular in each caseindependently stand for an alkyl group and/or an alkylene oxide group,in particular an oligoalkylene oxide group, and/or an alkoxy groupand/or a phenylene oxide group, in particular an oligophenylene oxidegroup, and/or a phenoxy group and/or a phenylene group, in particular anoligophenylene group, and/or a phenyl group and/or a benzylene group, inparticular an oligobenzylene group, and/or a benzyl group and/or acarbonyl group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbonategroup, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acidester group, and/or an in particular cyclic and/or acyclic carbamategroup.

The at least one polymer electrolyte or the at least one polymer may bea homopolymer or also a copolymer, for example a block copolymer, forexample a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer and/or astatistical copolymer. The cathode material or the polymer electrolytemay, for example, include or be a homopolymer as well as multiplehomopolymers, and/or a copolymer as well as multiple copolymers, or alsoa homopolymer-copolymer mixture.

Within the scope of one specific embodiment, the at least one polymerelectrolyte is a homopolymer, or the cathode material includes at leastone homopolymer, which includes at least one repeating unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

A, X, x, and Q may be configured as described above. In particular, thehomopolymer may include one of the particular repeating units describedabove.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte is a copolymer, or the cathode material includes atleast one copolymer, for example a block copolymer, for example amultiblock copolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer and/or astatistical copolymer, which includes at least one first repeating unitand at least one second repeating unit that is different from the atleast one first repeating unit, the at least one first repeating unithaving the general chemical formula:

A, X, x, and Q may be configured as described above. In particular, thecopolymer may include one of the particular repeating units describedabove. In particular, the at least one first repeating unit may includeor be one of the particular repeating units described above.

The at least one second repeating unit may, for example, be anyarbitrary polymer backbone-forming unit. For example, the at least onesecond repeating unit may include or be an alkylene oxide unit, forexample a perfluorinated alkylene oxide unit and/or a perfluoropolyetherunit, and/or a carbonate unit and/or a siloxane unit and/or aphosphazene unit and/or a methyl methacrylate unit and/or a methacrylateunit and/or a phenylene unit and/or a phenylene oxide unit and/or abenzylene unit and/or an alkylene unit and/or a styrene unit. Inparticular, the at least one second repeating unit may include or be analkylene oxide unit and/or a siloxane unit and/or a phosphazene unitand/or a methyl methacrylate unit and/or a methacrylate unit, forexample a phenylene oxide unit, and/or an alkylene unit and/or aphenylene unit.

The at least one second repeating unit may optionally have no group Q,and may be, for example, an in particular single alkylene oxide unit,for example a perfluorinated alkylene oxide unit and/or aperfluoropolyether unit, and/or a carbonate unit and/or a siloxane unitand/or a phosphazene unit and/or a methyl methacrylate unit and/or amethacrylate unit and/or a phenylene unit and/or a phenylene oxide unitand/or a benzylene unit and/or an alkylene unit, for example an alkyleneoxide unit and/or a phenylene unit, or some other polymerbackbone-forming unit, for example a (poly)styrene unit. (Poly)phenyleneunits and/or (poly)styrene units, which may result in higher glasstransition temperatures, may be advantageous with regard to mechanicalproperties.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, [A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and the polymer backbone-forming unit of the at leastone second repeating unit may be the same or different, and may beselected, for example, from the group of alkylene oxide unit/s, inparticular ethylene oxide unit/s and/or propylene oxide unit/s, and/orin particular unit/s which include organic carbonate groups, and/orsiloxane unit/s and/or phosphazene unit/s and/or methyl methacrylateunit/s and/or methacrylate unit/s and/or phenylene unit/s and/orphenylene oxide unit/s and/or benzylene unit/s and/or alkylene unit/s.

In particular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example-[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-,-[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-,-[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at leastone first repeating unit, and the polymer backbone-forming unit of theat least one second repeating unit may be selected from the same polymerclass, for example the polymer classes described in conjunction with-[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-,-[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-,-[A_(c)], -[A_(d)], -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, forexample the siloxane units (from the class of polysiloxanes). Thesynthesis may advantageously be simplified in this way. However, polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-,-[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and the polymer backbone-forming unit of the at leastone second repeating unit may be optionally be functionalizeddifferently from one another.

However, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and the polymer backbone-forming unit of the at leastone second repeating unit may also be selected from different polymerclasses, for example the polymer classes described in conjunction with-[A]-, -[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-,-[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-,-[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-,for example siloxane units (from the class of polysiloxanes) and thealkylene oxide units (from the class of polyalkylenes or polyethers),and/or may differ from one another by different functionalizations.Polymer blocks having various properties, among them mechanical and/orsolvating and/or electrical properties, may thus advantageously beachieved in order to thus set advantageous solvation properties combinedwith high ion conductivities.

One example of such is the siloxane-ethylene oxide copolymer of thegeneral chemical formula:

for example

in particular where R stands for an alkyl group, for example a methyl,ethyl, or propyl group, and n stands for the repetition number of theethylene oxide unit, for example 1≤n≤10.

However, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)], -[A_(V)], -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and the polymer backbone-forming unit of the at leastone second repeating unit may in particular be selected from the samepolymer class, for example the phenylene units (polyphenylenes) or thealkylene units (polyolefins), and may differ from one another bydifferent functionalizations or lack of functionalizations, for exampledifferent groups Q and/or different spacers.

Examples of such are the phenylene-phenylene copolymer of the generalchemical formula:

in particular where n stands for the repetition number of the phenyleneunit of the unsubstituted repeating unit, for example for 0≤n≤3, and/orthe phenylene-phenylene copolymer of the general chemical formula:

in particular where n and n* stand for the repetition numbers of theunsubstituted phenylene units, and for example 0≤n≤3 and 0≤n*≤3, and/orthe alkylene-alkylene copolymer of the general chemical formula:

For example, the at least one second repeating unit may include apolymer backbone-forming structural unit, for example selected from thegroup of siloxane unit/s and/or phosphazene unit/s and/or methylmethacrylate unit/s and/or methacrylate unit/s and/or phenylene unit/s,for example having a side group which contains a carbonate group and/oran alkylene oxide group, for example an oligoalkylene oxide. The sidegroup containing the carbonate group and/or alkylene oxide group may,for example, be bound to an atom of the polymer backbone-formingstructural unit. However, the side group containing the carbonate groupand/or alkylene oxide group, in particular the carbonate group, may alsobe cyclically bound to two atoms of the polymer backbone-formingstructural unit. The polymer backbone that is formed may itself includecarbonate groups or alkylene oxide groups, for example a polycarbonateor a polyalkylene oxide, or may also be free of carbonate groups oralkylene oxide groups.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, however, the at least onesecond repeating unit includes a repeating unit, which is different fromthe at least one first repeating unit, of the general chemical formula:

For example, the at least one second repeating unit may include or beone of the particular repeating units described above.

For example, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example-[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-,-[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-,-[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, and the atleast one second repeating unit may be selected from different polymerclasses, for example the siloxane units (polysiloxanes) and the alkyleneoxide units (polyalkylenes, polyethers), and/or may differ from oneanother by different functionalizations.

However, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example -[A_(I)]-,-[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)],-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, the at least one firstrepeating unit, and polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, for example-[A_(I)]-, -[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-,-[A_(VII)]-, -[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-,-[A_(d)]-, -[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]-, and the atleast one second repeating unit may in particular be selected from thesame polymer class, for example the siloxane unit/s (polysiloxanes)and/or phosphazene unit/s (polyphosphazenes) and/or methyl methacrylateunit/s (methyl methacrylates) and/or methacrylate unit/s (methacrylates)and/or the phenylene unit/s (polyphenylenes) or the alkylene units(polyolefins), and may differ from one another by differentfunctionalizations or lack of functionalizations, for example differentgroups Q and/or different spacers.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the polymer electrolyteincludes or is at least one copolymer (P), for example a blockcopolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternatingcopolymer and/or a statistical copolymer, in particular a blockcopolymer, for example a comb copolymer, of the general chemicalformula:

whereby the repeating units

are repeating units, which are different from one another, of thegeneral chemical formula:

For example, the repeating units may include or be the particularrepeating units described above.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, therepeating units

include repeating units, which are different from one another, of thegeneral chemical formula:

for example

for example

or stand for at least one repeating unit of the above general chemicalformulas. The combination of the above repeating units may, compared tothe corresponding homopolymers, result in an increase in the ionconductivity, in particular the lithium ion conductivity, optionally ina mixture with a lithium salt. The molecular weight or the averagenumber of repeating units of the polymers may be closely correlated withthe glass [transition] temperature of the pure polymer, which maydecisively determine the resulting lithium ion conductivity of thepolymer/salt mixture.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, the at least one first repeating unit, for example therepeating unit:

includes or stands for (at least) one repeating unit of the generalchemical formula:

for example

for example

In addition, the combination of the above repeating units with repeatingunits which bear an oligoethylene oxide function, for example an(oligo)ethylene oxide group with 1≤n_(IV) or n_(IX)≤15, for example2≤n_(IV) or n_(IX)≤6, repeating units, may, compared to thecorresponding homopolymers, result in an increase in the ionconductivity, in particular the lithium ion conductivity, optionally ina mixture with a lithium salt.

The at least one second repeating unit, for example the repeating unit:

may therefore include or be, for example, one or multiple repeatingunits which bear an oligoethylene oxide function, for example an(oligo)ethylene oxide group, with 1≤n≤15, for example 2≤n≤6, repeatingunits.

Within the scope of another, additional or alternative, particularembodiment of this specific embodiment, the at least one secondrepeating unit, for example the repeating unit:

includes or stands for (at least) one repeating unit of the generalchemical formula:

To keep the dissolution of polysulfides preferably low, for example theproportion of ethylene oxide units may be low, for example as low aspossible. However, the polysulfide solubility may be reduced byfluorinating the ethylene oxide units or also polyethers, in particularpolyethylene oxide and/or polypropylene oxide. In particular, the atleast one second repeating unit may therefore contain perfluorinatedalkylene oxide units, in particular perfluorinated ethylene oxide units,or a perfluoropolyether. For example, group R130-132 or group R180-R182could be perfluorinated and/or stand for a fluorine atom.

As explained above, for these reasons spacer X, (X_(I)), (X_(II)),(X_(III)), (X_(VI)), (X_(V)), (X_(VI)), (X_(VII)), (X_(VIII)), (X_(IX)),(X_(a)), (X_(b)), (X_(c)), (X_(d)), (X_(e)), (X_(f)), (X_(Z)), or(X_(Z1)) and/or polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]-, [A_(I)]-,[A_(II)]-, -[A_(III)]-, -[A_(IV)]-, -[A_(V)]-, -[A_(VI)]-, -[A_(VII)]-,-[A_(VIII)]-, -[A_(IX)]-, -[A_(a)]-, -[A_(b)]-, -[A_(c)]-, -[A_(d)]-,-[A_(e)]-, -[A_(f)]-, -[A_(Z)]-, or -[A_(Z1)]- and/or group Q or Q⁺ orQ⁻ or the groups containing R10-R213 may also have perfluorinatedalkylene oxide groups, in particular perfluorinated ethylene oxidegroups and/or perfluorinated propylene oxide groups, for exampleperfluorinated oligoalkylene oxide groups, for example perfluorinatedoligoethylene oxide groups and/or perfluorinated oligopropylene oxidegroups, and/or may be perfluorinated.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, the polymer electrolyteincludes or is (at least) one copolymer (P), for example a blockcopolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer and/or an alternatingcopolymer and/or a statistical copolymer, in particular a blockcopolymer, for example a comb copolymer, of the general chemicalformula:

For example, the polymer electrolyte may be based on or be a copolymer,for example a block copolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer,and/or an alternating copolymer and/or a statistical copolymer of thisgeneral chemical formula. For example, the copolymer may be a blockcopolymer or an alternating copolymer or a statistical copolymer, forexample a block copolymer or an alternating copolymer. In particular,the copolymer of this general chemical formula may be a block copolymer.A comparatively high lithium ion conductivity may advantageously beachieved by use of such a copolymer, for example block copolymers, forexample a comb copolymer.

For example, the polymer electrolyte may include, for example be basedon, or for example be, a copolymer, for example a block copolymer, forexample a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer and/or astatistical copolymer, in particular a block copolymer, of the generalchemical formula:

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, the polymer electrolyteincludes or is (at least) one copolymer (P), for example a blockcopolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternatingcopolymer and/or a statistical copolymer, in particular a blockcopolymer, for example a comb copolymer, of the general chemicalformula:

For example, the polymer electrolyte may be based on or be a copolymer,for example a block copolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer,and/or an alternating copolymer and/or a statistical copolymer of thisgeneral chemical formula. For example, the copolymer may be a blockcopolymer or an alternating copolymer or a statistical copolymer, forexample a block copolymer or an alternating copolymer. In particular,the copolymer of this general chemical formula may be a block copolymer.A comparatively high lithium ion conductivity may advantageously beachieved by use of such a copolymer, for example block copolymers, forexample a comb copolymer.

For example, the polymer electrolyte may include, for example be basedon, or for example be, a copolymer, for example a block copolymer, forexample a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer and/or astatistical copolymer, in particular a block copolymer, for example acomb copolymer, of the general chemical formula:

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the polymer electrolyte(additionally) includes at least one (singly or multiply) fluorinated,for example perfluorinated, and/or lithium sulfonate-substitutedpolymer. For example, the at least one fluorinated and/or lithiumsulfonate-substituted polymer may be a perfluoropolyether and/or alithium sulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, for exampleperfluorinated, polyolefin, for example a tetrafluoroethylene polymer,and/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, forexample perfluorinated, polyether, for example a lithium ion-containing,for example a lithium ion-exchanged, Nafion, and/or a lithiumsulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, for exampleperfluorinated, polyphenylene. The lithium conductivity may optionallybe further increased in this way. Lithium sulfonate-substituted and/orfluorinated polymers such as lithium-Nafion, and/or polyphenylenessubstituted with lithium sulfonate, and/or fluorinated, in particularperfluorinated, polyethers (perfluoropolyethers) may advantageously beused in lithium-sulfur cells, for example with a sulfur-carboncomposite, for example SPAN, as cathode active material, in particularsince a reduced polysulfide solubility may thus be achieved.Fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, polyethers(perfluoropolyethers) may be used in a particularly advantageous mannerin combination with at least one lithium conducting salt inlithium-sulfur cells, for example with a sulfur-carbon composite, forexample SPAN, as cathode active material. Lithium-Nafion may have, forexample, a repeating unit combination of an unsubstitutedtetrafluoroethylene unit and a lithium sulfonate-substitutedtetrafluoroethylene unit, for example with an oligoalkylene oxidespacer, and for example may be based on the general chemical formula:

where n stands for the repetition number of the unsubstitutedtetrafluoroethylene units and n* stands for the repetition number of therepeating unit combination.

Another example of a lithium sulfonate-substituted, for examplefluorinated, for example perfluorinated, polymer is a lithiumsulfonate-substituted polyphenylene with a lithium sulfonate-substitutedphenylene unit and optionally an unsubstituted phenylene unit, forexample which is based on the general chemical formula:

in particular where n stands for the repetition number of theunsubstituted phenylene units, for example 0≤n≤3.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the polymer electrolyteincludes a polymer mixture, in particular a polymer blend, of at leastone first polymer and at least one second polymer. The at least onefirst polymer may include or be (at least) one polymer according to thepresent invention, for example a homopolymer and/or copolymer, forexample a block copolymer, for example a multiblock copolymer, and/or analternating copolymer and/or a statistical copolymer, in particular ablock copolymer, for example a comb copolymer, in particular whichincludes at least one repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

A, X, x, and Q may be configured as described above. For example, thepolymer mixture copolymer may include at least one of the particularrepeating units described above. In particular, the at least one firstrepeating unit may include or be one of the particular repeating unitsdescribed above.

The at least one second polymer may, for example, be (at least) onearbitrary polymer. For example, the at least one second polymer mayinclude or be a polyalkylene oxide (polyether), in particular aperfluoropolyether, and/or a polycarbonate and/or a polysiloxane and/ora polyphosphazene and/or a polymethyl methacrylate and/or apolymethacrylate and/or a polyphenylene and/or a polyphenylene oxideand/or a polybenzylene and/or a polyolefin and/or a polystyrene. Forexample, the at least one second polymer may include or be apolyalkylene oxide and/or a polysiloxane and/or a polyphosphazene and/ora polymethyl methacrylate and/or a polymethacrylate and/or a polyolefinand/or a polyphenylene, in particular a polyalkylene oxide and/orpolyolefin and/or a polyphenylene.

For example, the at least one second polymer may include no group Q, andmay, for example, be an in particular single polyalkylene oxide(polyether), in particular a perfluoropolyether and/or polycarbonateand/or polysiloxane and/or polyphosphazene and/or polymethylmethacrylate and/or polymethacrylate and/or polyphenylene and/orpolyphenylene oxide and/or polybenzylene unit, and/or polyolefin, forexample a polyalkylene oxide (polyether) and/or polyphenylene, forexample a para-polyphenylene, and/or a polystyrene or some otherpolymer.

Perfluoropolyethers, optionally in combination with at least one lithiumconducting salt, may advantageously be used as polymer electrolyte inparticular in lithium-sulfur cells, in particular with SPAN as cathodematerial. (Poly)phenylene units and/or (poly)styrene units, which mayresult in higher glass transition temperatures, may be advantageous withregard to mechanical properties, in particular as a lithiumion-conductive matrix for SPAN.

However, within the scope of one particular embodiment, the at least onesecond polymer includes or is (at least) one polymer according to thepresent invention, in particular a homopolymer and/or copolymer, with atleast one repeating unit that is different from the at least onerepeating unit of the at least one first polymer, in particular of thegeneral chemical formula:

and/or at least one fluorinated and/or lithium sulfonate-substitutedpolymer, in particular a perfluoropolyether and/or a lithiumsulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, polyolefin, and/or alithium sulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated, polyether,and/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated,polyphenylene, for example a lithium ion-containing, for example lithiumion-exchanged, Nafion. A, X, x, and Q may be configured as describedabove. The lithium conductivity may optionally be further increased inthis way.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte includes or is at least one polymer, in particularpolymer electrolyte, which includes at least one repeating unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

where -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit,X stands for a spacer, x stands for the number of spacers X and is 1 or0, and Q stands for a negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺,or Q stands for a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻. Thishas proven to be particularly advantageous, since the ion dissociationmay be increased and the polysulfide solubility may be reduced in thisway.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, the atleast one polymer electrolyte includes or is:

-   -   (at least) one copolymer, for example a block copolymer, for        example a multiblock copolymer, and/or an alternating copolymer        and/or a statistical copolymer, in particular a block copolymer,        for example a comb copolymer, which includes at least one first        repeating unit and at least one second repeating unit that is        different from the at least one first repeating unit, the at        least one first repeating unit having the general chemical        formula:

and/or

-   -   a polymer mixture, in particular a polymer blend, of at least        one first polymer and at least one second polymer, the at least        one first polymer including at least one repeating unit of the        general chemical formula:

A, X, x, and Q may be configured as described above. For example, the(co)polymer or the polymer mixture may include at least one of theparticular repeating units described above.

Repeating units with a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻,and/or with a negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺ incombination with uncharged, ion-conductive, or ion-conducting, groups,for example alkylene oxide groups and/or cyclic and/or acyclic carbonategroups and/or cyclic and/or acyclic carboxylic acid ester groups, forexample lactone groups, and/or cyclic and/or acyclic carbamate groups,in particular alkylene oxide groups, such as oligoalkylene oxide groupsand/or polyethers, may [be used] in a particularly advantageous manner,since the ion dissociation may be increased by positively charged groupQ⁺ or negatively charged group Q⁻, and the ion mobility may be increasedby uncharged group Q, which overall may result in a significant increasein the ion conductivity, for example the lithium ion conductivity.

Therefore, the at least one second repeating unit and/or the at leastone second polymer in particular may include an alkylene oxide and/or acyclic carbonate group and/or a lactone group and/or a cyclic carbamategroup and/or an acyclic carbonate group and/or an acyclic carboxylicacid ester group and/or an acyclic carbamate group.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment,

-   -   the at least one second repeating unit is an alkylene oxide unit        and/or a repeating unit which bears an alkylene oxide function        (alkylene oxide group), and/or    -   the at least one second polymer is and/or includes a        polyalkylene oxide (polyether) and/or a repeating unit which        bears an alkylene oxide function (alkylene oxide group).

A combination of a positively or negatively charged group Q⁺, Q⁻,respectively, and an alkylene oxide, for example an alkylene oxide unitand/or an alkylene oxide function, and/or a polyalkylene oxide, has beenproven to be particularly advantageous, since the ion dissociation maybe increased by positively charged group Q⁺ or negatively charged groupQ⁻, and the ion mobility may be increased by the alkylene oxide, whichoverall may result in a significant increase in the ion conductivity,for example the lithium ion conductivity.

In particular, the copolymer may be a block copolymer, for example amultiblock copolymer. In particular, the length of the blocks may beselected in such a way that the conducting salt, in particular thelithium conducting salt, is present in dissociated form, and at the sametime a sufficient mobility of the ions, in particular lithium ions, inthe alkylene oxide, for example polyether, is present.

The at least one second repeating unit may in particular be an alkyleneoxide unit and/or a repeating unit which bears an alkylene oxidefunction, for example an oligoalkylene oxide function, for example with1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6, repeating units. For example, the atleast one second repeating unit may be an ethylene oxide unit and/or apropylene oxide unit and/or a repeating unit which bears an ethyleneoxide function and/or a propylene oxide function, for example anoligoethylene oxide function and/or an oligopropylene oxide function,for example with 1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6, repeating units.

In particular, the at least one second repeating unit may be an ethyleneoxide unit and/or a repeating unit which bears an ethylene oxidefunction, for example an oligoethylene oxide function, for example an(oligo)ethylene oxide group with 1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6,repeating units.

The at least one second polymer may in particular be a polyalkyleneoxide (polyether), and/or may include a repeating unit which bears analkylene oxide function, for example an oligoalkylene oxide function,for example with 1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6, repeating units. Forexample, the at least one second polymer may be a polyethylene oxide(PEO) and/or polypropylene oxide, and/or may include a repeating unitwhich bears an ethylene oxide function and/or a propylene oxidefunction, for example an oligoethylene oxide function and/or anoligopropylene oxide function, for example with 1 or 2 to 15, forexample 2 to 6, repeating units. In particular, the at least one secondpolymer may be a polyethylene oxide (PEO), and/or may include arepeating unit which bears an ethylene oxide function, for example anoligoethylene oxide function, for example an (oligo)ethylene oxide groupwith 1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6, repeating units.

The at least one second repeating unit and/or the at least one secondpolymer may optionally be fluorinated and/or substituted with lithiumsulfonate. For example, the at least one second repeating unit and/orthe at least one second polymer may include or be a perfluoropolyetherand/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted, in particular fluorinated,polyolefin, and/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted, in particularfluorinated, polyether, and/or a lithium sulfonate-substituted,optionally fluorinated, polyphenylene.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment,

-   -   the at least one second repeating unit is a partially or        completely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, alkylene        oxide unit, and/or a repeating unit which bears a partially or        completely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, alkylene        oxide function, for example oligoalkylene oxide function, and/or    -   the at least one second polymer is a partially or completely        fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, polyalkylene oxide        (perfluoropolyether), and/or includes a repeating unit which        bears a partially or completely fluorinated, in particular        perfluorinated, alkylene oxide function, for example        oligoalkylene oxide function.

The polysulfide solubility may advantageously be reduced byfluorination.

The at least one second repeating unit may in particular be a partiallyor completely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, alkylene oxideunit, and/or a repeating unit which bears a partially or completelyfluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, alkylene oxide function, forexample an oligoalkylene oxide function, for example with 1 or 2 to 15,for example 2 to 6, repeating units. For example, the at least onesecond repeating unit may be a partially or completely fluorinated, inparticular perfluorinated, ethylene oxide unit and/or propylene oxideunit, and/or may be a repeating unit which bears a partially orcompletely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, ethylene oxidefunction and/or propylene oxide function. In particular, the at leastone second repeating unit may be a partially or completely fluorinated,in particular perfluorinated, ethylene oxide unit, and/or may be arepeating unit which bears a partially or completely fluorinated, inparticular perfluorinated, ethylene oxide function, for example anoligoethylene oxide function.

The at least one second polymer may in particular be a partially orcompletely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, polyalkylene oxide(polyether), and/or may include a repeating unit which bears a partiallyor completely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, alkylene oxidefunction, for example an oligoalkylene oxide function, for example with1 or 2 to 15, for example 2 to 6, repeating units. For example, the atleast one second polymer may be a partially or completely fluorinated,in particular perfluorinated, polyethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide,and/or may include a repeating unit which bears a partially orcompletely fluorinated, in particular perfluorinated, ethylene oxidefunction and/or propylene oxide function. In particular, the at leastone second polymer may be a partially or completely fluorinated, inparticular perfluorinated, polyethylene oxide, and/or may include arepeating unit which bears a partially or completely fluorinated, inparticular perfluorinated, ethylene oxide function, for example anoligoethylene oxide function.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, the at least one polymer electrolyte, in particular of thecathode material includes or is at least one repeating unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

in particular the at least one first repeating unit, for example therepeating unit:

and/or the at least one first polymer including at least one repeatingunit of the above general chemical formula. The at least one secondrepeating unit, for example the repeating unit:

may, for example, include or stand for (at least) one repeating unit ofthe general chemical formula:

for example

In particular, the at least one second repeating unit, for example therepeating unit:

may, for example, include or stand for (at least) one repeating unit ofthe general chemical formula:

For example, the copolymer may be poly[(4-styrenesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide].

Optionally, copolymer (P) may also include at least one third repeatingunit, and/or the polymer mixture may also include at least one thirdpolymer which in particular is different from the first polymer and thesecond polymer.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the polymer electrolytealso includes at least one conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt. The ion conductivity, in particular the lithium ionconductivity, may thus optionally be further increased. Depending on theblock copolymer, a small admixture of a conducting salt, in particular alithium conducting salt, may be advantageous, despite a large transfernumber, in order to reduce the glass transition temperature of the blockcopolymer and thus increase the overall mobility of the lithium ions inthe system, which, however, may occur at the expense of a reduction ofthe transfer number. Ideally, in this case a conducting salt, inparticular a lithium conducting salt, whose anion interacts well withgroup Q may be used. For example, lithiumbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) may be used when there is asulfonylimide group. The conducting salt may, for example, be a lithiumconducting salt or a sodium conducting salt, in particular a lithiumconducting salt. Common lithium conducting salts may be used as lithiumsalts. For example, the at least one lithium conducting salt may includeor be lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) and/or lithiumbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and/or lithiumbisoxalatoborate (LiBOB) and/or trifluoromethanesulfonate (Li triflate)and/or lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) and/or lithium difluorooxalatoborate(LiDFOB) and/or lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) and/or lithium bromide(LiBr) and/or lithium iodide (LiI) and/or lithium chloride (LiCl). AnionZ⁻ and the anion of the at least one lithium conducting salt may bedifferent or identical.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, theanion of the at least one conducting salt, in particular lithiumconducting salt, and Z⁻ or Q⁻ are selected from the same anion class,for example the sulfonylimides, for exampletrifluoromethanesulfonylimide and/or pentafluoroethanesulfonylimideand/or fluorosulfonylimide, in particular trifluoromethanesulfonylimide.Undesirable side reactions may thus advantageously be avoided, and inparticular the anion of the at least one conducting salt and Z⁻ or Q⁻alkali ions, in particular lithium ions, may be strongly coordinated ina similar manner, for example identically, which may have anadvantageous effect on the ion mobility.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, the at least one conducting salt, in particular lithiumconducting salt, includes counterion Z⁻ or Z⁺ of the polymer or polymerelectrolyte, in particular of positively charged group Q⁺ or ofnegatively charged group Q⁻. For example, anion Z⁻ may be the same asthe anion of the at least one conducting salt, in particular lithiumconducting salt.

The lithium salt concentration may be a function in particular of thenumber of oxygen atoms in the polymer or polymer electrolyte. Inparticular, the stoichiometric ratio of lithium ions of the at least onelithium conducting salt to oxygen atoms of the polymer or polymerelectrolyte or of the polymer may be in a range of 1:2 to 1:100, inparticular 1:5 or 1:10 to 1:25, for example 1:10 to 1:15. This mayadvantageously be an optimal range with regard to the effective mobilecharge carriers and the mobility as a function of the glass [transition]temperature. The stoichiometric ratio of lithium ions of the at leastone lithium conducting salt to repeating units of the polymerelectrolyte or of the polymer may be in a range of 2:1 to 1:100, forexample.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the particles arecoated with an ion-conductive or ion-conducting, in particular lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting, polymer or polymerelectrolyte, for example of the general chemical formula:

and/or with polyethylene glycol and/or polyethylene oxide. Polysulfidesmay thus advantageously be hindered, in a particularly effective manner,from diffusing out. A, X, x, and Q may be configured as described above.The coating may, for example, include or be formed from a polymer orpolymer electrolyte described above. For example, the polymer of thecoating may include at least one of the particular repeating unitsdescribed above.

In addition, it is possible to increase the conductivity by admixingionic liquids.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte or the cathode material therefore also includes atleast one ionic liquid. The mobility in the system may thusadvantageously be increased, or the glass [transition] temperaturereduced, and the ion conductivity, in particular the lithium ionconductivity, may thus be increased. In particular, the ionic liquid mayinclude at least one cation selected from the group made up ofpyridinium cations and/or in particular quaternary ammonium cationsand/or imidazolium cations and/or piperidinium cations and/orpyrrolidinium cations and/or in particular quaternary phosphoniumcations and/or guanidinium cations and/or morpholinium cations and/oruronium cations and/or thiouronium cations, and/or at least one anionselected from the group made up of trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate)and/or tetrafluoroborate and/or bisoxalatoborate and/orhexafluorophosphate and/or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/orbis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and/or bis(fluoromethanesulfonyl)imideand/or difluorooxalatoborate and/or perchlorate and/or bromide and/oriodide and/or chloride. Anion Z⁻ and the anion of the at least onelithium conducting salt and/or the ionic liquid may be different or thesame. In particular, however, anion Z⁻ may be the same as the anion ofthe at least one lithium conducting salt and/or the ionic liquid.Undesirable side reactions or crystallizing out of lithium salt may thusadvantageously be avoided.

In addition, it is possible to increase the conductivity by admixingnonaqueous solvents and/or components that are used in liquidelectrolytes, for example carbonate-based and/or ether-based substancesor solvents.

The polymer electrolyte or the cathode material may also optionallyinclude at least one carbonate-based and/or ether-based additive, forexample at least one carbonate-based and/or ether-based solvent.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment, the polymer electrolyteincludes at least one repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

where -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit,X stands for a spacer, x stands for the number of spacers X and is 1 or0, andQ stands for a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻, inparticular where Q⁺ stands for a group based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example where Q⁺ stands for a pyridinium group or anammonium group or an imidazolium group or a piperidinium group or apyrrolidinium group or a phosphonium group or a guanidinium group or amorpholinium group or a uronium group or a thiouronium group, and/or Z⁻stands for an anion, in particular a lithium conducting salt anion, orwhere Q stands for a negatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, inparticular where Q⁻ stands for a group based on a lithium conductingsalt anion and/or an anion of an ionic liquid or a sulfonate group, forexample where Q⁻ stands for a sulfonylimide group and/or a sulfonategroup, and/or Z⁺ stands for an alkali ion, for example a lithium ionand/or sodium ion, in particular a lithium ion, orwhere Q stands for a cyclic carbonate group or a lactone group or acyclic carbamate group or an acyclic carbonate group or an acycliccarboxylic acid ester group or an acyclic carbamate group or an alkyleneoxide group, in particular where Q stands for a cyclic carbonate groupor a lactone group or a cyclic carbamate group or an acyclic carbonategroup or an acyclic carboxylic acid ester group or an acyclic carbamategroup, and where polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- includes at leastone polyfunctionalized siloxane unit and/or polyfunctionalizedphosphazene unit and/or polyfunctionalized phenylene unit, for example apolyfunctionalized siloxane unit.

In particular, polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- may stand for orinclude a polyfunctionalized polymer backbone-forming unit of thegeneral chemical formula:

where xq in each case stands for a binding site at which a group Q, inparticular Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, is bound in each case to polymerbackbone-forming unit -[A]- via a spacer X_(x), in particular where R′stands for hydrogen or an alkyl group.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X and/or group Q, forexample Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, and/or anion Z⁻ and/or cation Z⁺ may beconfigured as described above. For example, the at least one repeatingunit may include or be (at least) one particular repeating unitdescribed above.

Within the scope of another particular embodiment, the polymerelectrolyte includes at least one copolymer (P), in particular blockcopolymer, for example multiblock copolymer, which includes at least onefirst repeating unit and at least one second repeating unit that isdifferent from the at least one first repeating unit, the at least onefirst repeating unit having the general chemical formula:

where -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit,X stands for a spacer, x stands for the number of spacers X and is 1 or0, andQ stands for a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻, inparticular where Q⁺ stands for a group based on a cation of an ionicliquid, for example where Q⁺ stands for a pyridinium group or anammonium group or an imidazolium group or a piperidinium group or apyrrolidinium group or a phosphonium group or a guanidinium group or amorpholinium group or a uronium group or a thiouronium group, and/orwhere Z⁻ stands for an anion, in particular a lithium conducting saltanion, in particular where spacer X includes at least one furtherpositively charged group Q⁺, in particular based on a cation of an ionicliquid, in particular at least one ammonium ion group and/or at leastone pyridinium group and/or at least one imidazolium group and/or atleast one piperidinium group and/or at least one pyrrolidinium groupand/or at least one phosphonium group and/or at least one guanidiniumgroup and/or at least one morpholinium group and/or at least one uroniumgroup and/or at least one thiouronium group, in particular at least oneammonium group and/or at least one pyridinium group and/or at least oneimidazolium group, for example at least one ammonium group and/or atleast one pyridinium group, or where Q stands for a negatively chargedgroup Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, for example an alkali ion, in particular alithium ion, in particular where Q⁻ stands for a group based on alithium conducting salt anion and/or an anion of an ionic liquid or asulfonate group, for example where Q⁻ stands for a sulfonylimide groupand/or a sulfonate group, and/or Z⁺ stands for an alkali ion, forexample a lithium ion and/or sodium ion, in particular a lithium ion,where spacer X includes at least one further negatively charged groupQ⁻, in particular based on a lithium conducting salt anion and/or ananion of an ionic liquid and/or a sulfonate group, in particular atleast one sulfonylimide group and/or at least one sulfonate group.

The at least one second repeating unit may have the general chemicalformula:

where -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit,X stands for a spacer, x stands for the number of spacer X and is 1 or0,but Q stands for an uncharged group Q, for example an alkylene oxidegroup or a cyclic carbonate group or a lactone group or a cycliccarbamate group or an acyclic carbonate group or an acyclic carboxylicacid ester group or an acyclic carbamate group, in particular analkylene oxide group.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X and/or group Q, forexample Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, and/or anion Z⁻ and/or cation Z⁺ may beconfigured as described above. For example, the at least one firstand/or second repeating unit may include or be (at least) one particularrepeating unit described above.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the at least onepolymer electrolyte used as cathode material binder includes at leastone repeating unit of the general chemical formula:

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X and/or group Q, forexample Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, and/or anion Z⁻ and/or cation Z⁺ may beconfigured as described above. The at least one polymer electrolyte usedas cathode material binder may be the same as or different from the atleast one polymer electrolyte described above.

Related to the total weight of the cathode material, the cathodematerial may, for example, include ≥50% by weight to ≤90% by weight, forexample ≥50% by weight to ≤80% by weight, in particular ≥60% by weightto <70% by weight, of cathode active material and ≥5% by weight to ≤30%by weight, for example ≥20% by weight to ≤30% by weight of solidelectrolyte, in particular made of the at least one inorganic ionconductor and the at least one polymer electrolyte or polymer. Thecathode material may also optionally include ≥5% by weight to ≤10% byweight of supplements and/or additives, for example conductivitysupplements and/or additives, related to the total weight of the cathodematerial. For example, the solid electrolyte may include ≥50% by weightto ≤90% by weight, in particular ≥70% by weight to ≤90% by weight, ofthe at least one sulfidic ion conductor and ≥10% by weight to ≤50% byweight, in particular ≥10% by weight to ≤30% by weight, of the at leastone in particular ion-conductive or ion-conducting polymer. For example,the cathode material may include at least one conductivity supplementand/or additive, in particular for increasing the electricalconductivity in the cathode.

Within the scope of another specific embodiment, the cathode materialincludes at least one, in particular electrical, conductivity supplementor conductivity additive. For example, the cathode active material mayinclude at least one carbon modification, for example conductive carbonsuch as carbon black, carbon fibers, graphite, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, the cathode material may include at leastone conducting salt, in particular lithium conducting salt. The cathodematerial may also optionally include at least one ionic liquid

The cathode material may in particular be designed for a cell accordingto the present invention.

With regard to further technical features and advantages of the cathodematerial according to the present invention, explicit reference ishereby made to the explanations in conjunction with the cell accordingto the present invention and the battery according to the presentinvention, and to the figures and the description of the figures.

A further subject matter relates to an electrochemical cell, for examplefor an alkali metal cell, for example a lithium cell and/or sodium cell,in particular a lithium cell, in particular an alkali metal-sulfur cell,for example a lithium-sulfur cell and/or sodium-sulfur cell, inparticular a lithium-sulfur cell, which includes a cathode materialaccording to the present invention.

The cell includes in particular a cathode and an anode. The cathodeincludes in particular a cathode material according to the presentinvention.

The anode may include lithium and/or sodium, for example. In particular,the anode may include lithium. In particular, the anode may be ametallic anode and may include metallic lithium or a lithium alloy, forexample. The cell may include a separator and/or a protective layer, forexample an anode protective layer, in particular between the anode andthe cathode.

Within the scope of one specific embodiment of the cell, the cellincludes a separator and/or a protective layer, for example an anodeprotective layer and/or a cathode protective layer, in particularbetween the anode and the cathode.

Within the scope of one embodiment of this specific embodiment, theseparator and/or the protective layer, for example the anode protectivelayer and/or cathode protective layer, include(s) a block copolymer. Theblock copolymer may be a diblock copolymer or triblock copolymer, forexample. In particular, the separator and/or the protective layer, forexample the anode protective layer, may be made of the block copolymer,in particular the diblock copolymer or triblock copolymer. The blockcopolymer may in particular include an ionically conductive phase and amechanically stable phase which are chemically joined together and whichform a bicontinuous network by self-organization. The cathode materialaccording to the present invention, for example based on asulfur-polymer composite with sulfur that is bound, for examplecovalently and/or ionically, in particular ionically, to the polymer ofthe composite, for example based on a sulfur-polyacrylonitrilecomposite, for example SPAN, may be used with these types of blockcopolymers in a particularly advantageous manner, since the use oflow-molecular ether compounds or ether solvents, which, for example,could otherwise swell block copolymers and convert them into a polymergel, may be dispensed with, and swelling of the block copolymer of theseparator and/or the protective layer, for example the anode protectivelayer, may thus be prevented, and their functionality may be ensured.

Within the scope of one particular embodiment of this specificembodiment, the separator and/or the protective layer, for example theanode protective layer and/or the cathode protective layer, include(s)at least one polystyrene-polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, inparticular polystyrene-polyethylene oxide block copolymer, for examplepoly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide), in particular having a molar mass of theblocks of ≥5,000 Dalton, for example having a total molar mass of≥150,000 Dalton, in particular having a total molar mass of ≥350,000Dalton. In particular, the separator and/or the protective layer may bemade of the polystyrene-polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, inparticular polystyrene-polyethylene oxide block copolymer, for examplepoly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide), in particular having a molar mass of theblocks of ≥5,000 Dalton, for example having a total molar mass of≥150,000 Dalton, in particular having a total molar mass of ≥350,000Dalton. However, the separator and/or the protective layer, for examplethe anode protective layer and/or the cathode protective layer, may alsoinclude or be made of a block copolymer, for example a triblockcopolymer, which includes at least one polystyrene component and atleast one polyethylene oxide component and at least one further polymercomponent, for example a polyisoprene component.Polystyrene-polyethylene oxide block copolymers may advantageously havean ionic conductivity of >10⁻⁵ S/cm at operating temperatures ofelectrochemical cells, in particular lithium-sulfur cells.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularembodiment of this specific embodiment, the separator and/or theprotective layer, for example the anode protective layer and/or thecathode protective layer, include(s) at least onepolyacrylate-polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, in particularpolyacrylate-polyethylene oxide block copolymer, for examplepoly(acrylate-ethylene oxide), in particular having a molar mass of theblocks of ≥5,000 Dalton, for example having a total molar mass of≥150,000 Dalton, in particular having a total molar mass of ≥350,000Dalton. In particular, the separator and/or the protective layer may bemade of the polyacrylate-polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, inparticular polyacrylate-polyethylene oxide block copolymer, for examplepoly(acrylate-ethylene oxide), in particular having a molar mass of theblocks of ≥5,000 Dalton, for example having a total molar mass of≥150,000 Dalton, in particular having a total molar mass of ≥350,000Dalton. However, the separator and/or the protective layer, for examplethe anode protective layer and/or the cathode protective layer, may alsoinclude or be made of a block copolymer, for example a triblockcopolymer, which includes at least one polyacrylate component and atleast one polyethylene oxide component and at least one further polymercomponent, for example a polyisoprene component.Polystyrene-polyethylene oxide block copolymers may likewiseadvantageously have a high conductivity of ≥10⁻⁵ S/cm at operatingtemperatures of electrochemical cells, in particular lithium-sulfurcells.

Within the scope of another, alternative or additional, particularembodiment of this specific embodiment, the separator and/or theprotective layer, for example the anode protective layer and/or thecathode protective layer, include(s) at least one polymer, for examplein the form of a block copolymer, which includes at least one repeatingunit of the general chemical formula:

where -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit, X stands for aspacer, x stands for the number of spacers X and is 1 or 0, and Q standsfor a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻, or Q stands for anegatively charged group Q⁻ and a counterion Z⁺, or Q stands for anuncharged group Q, in particular a cyclic carbonate group or a lactonegroup or a cyclic carbamate group or an acyclic carbonate group or anacyclic carboxylic acid ester group or an acyclic carbamate group or analkylene oxide group.

Polymer backbone-forming unit -[A]- and/or spacer X and/or group Q, forexample Q⁺ or Q⁻ or Q, and/or anion Z⁻ and/or cation Z⁺ may beconfigured as described above. For example, the at least one repeatingunit may include or be (at least) one particular repeating unitdescribed above.

For example, the cathode may include a cathode current collector. Thecathode current collector may be made of aluminum or carbon, forexample. The cathode current collector may optionally be provided with acoating for improving the adhesion and/or the electrical contactingand/or the chemical stability and/or the corrosion stability. Thecoating may, for example, be a polymer layer, in particular a carbonmodification polymer layer, optionally containing one or multipleadditives such as adhesion promoters, corrosion protection additives,etc. For example, the coating may include a polymer electrolyteaccording to the present invention and/or may be a protective layeraccording to the present invention, in particular a cathode protectivelayer and/or anode protective layer.

The cathode may be produced, for example, by mixing cathode componentsin a dissolver, for example, with at least one solvent to form a slurry,and thus coating a substrate, for example a film, for example analuminum film, in particular a film coated with a carbon modification,for example aluminum film. The coating may take place via doctoring. Thecoating may be subsequently dried and/or calandered. This may take placein particular in such a way that the porosity is minimized.

Alternatively, the cathode may be produced by dry coating, i.e.,solvent-free coating.

With regard to further technical features and advantages of the cellaccording to the present invention, explicit reference is hereby made tocathode material according to the present invention and the batteryaccording to the present invention, and to the figures and thedescription of the figures.

Moreover, the present invention relates to an alkali metal battery, forexample a lithium battery and/or sodium battery, for example a lithiumbattery, in particular an alkali metal-sulfur battery, for example alithium-sulfur battery and/or sodium-sulfur battery, in particular alithium-sulfur battery, which includes one or multiple cells accordingto the present invention.

With regard to further technical features and advantages of the batteryaccording to the present invention, explicit reference is hereby made tothe cathode material according to the present invention and the cellaccording to the present invention, and to the figures and thedescription of the figures.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject matteraccording to the present invention are elucidated by the drawing andexplained in the following description. It is pointed out that thedrawing is only descriptive in nature, and is not intended to limit thepresent invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a, 1b show schematic cross sections for illustrating lithiumion-conducting channels and/or planes in specific embodiments of thecathode material according to the present invention.

FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of one specific embodiment of acell according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of another specific embodiment ofa cell according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Within the scope of the specific embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a through1c , the at least one cathode active material ES is provided in the formof a polymer E containing covalently bound sulfur S. The at least onepolymer electrolyte AQLi includes a polymer backbone-forming unit A, anegatively charged group Q covalently bound thereto, and lithium ionsLi⁺ as counterion.

FIGS. 1a through 1c illustrate that during discharge of the cell,lithium ions Li⁺ are ionically bound to the sulfur S, which is bound inparticular covalently to polymer E.

FIGS. 1a through 1c illustrate that polymer E containing covalentlybound sulfur, and the at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi form lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting channels 100 and/or planes 1000at the molecular level. Lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conductingchannels 100 and/or planes 1000 are formed in particular by polar areasSLi of polymer E with sulfur S that is bound, in particular covalently,and polar areas QLi of the least one polymer electrolyte AQLi. Thesechannels 100 and/or planes 1000 may, for example, extend continuouslythrough particles 11 shown in FIG. 3, and in particular up to the outersurface of these particles 11.

FIGS. 1a through 1c illustrate that lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting channels 100 and/or planes 1000 accommodate sulfur Swhich is bound, in particular covalently, to polymer E, and polysulfides(not illustrated) that are optionally formed therefrom during dischargeof the cell, as well as lithium ions Li and negatively charged groups Q⁻of the at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi.

FIGS. 1a through 1c illustrate that lithium ion-conductive or lithiumion-conducting channels 100 and/or planes 1000 extend between polymer Econtaining covalently bound sulfur S and the at least one polymerelectrolyte AQLi, and between polymer sections of polymer E containingcovalently bound sulfur S. In particular, channels 100 and/or planes1000 extend between repeating units of polymer E containing covalentlybound sulfur S and repeating units of the at least one polymerelectrolyte AQLi, and between repeating units of different polymersections of polymer E containing covalently bound sulfur. Lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting channels 100 and/or planes 1000are formed in particular in a zone at a phase boundary between polymer Econtaining covalently bound sulfur S and the at least one polymerelectrolyte AQLi, and in a zone between polymer sections of polymer Econtaining covalently bound sulfur S.

FIGS. 1a through 1c also illustrate that polymer backbone E of polymer Econtaining covalently bound sulfur S, and polymer backbone A of the atleast one polymer electrolyte AQLi form a structural plane.

FIGS. 1a through 1c show that polymer E containing covalently boundsulfur S and the at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi form a lamellararrangement. A lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting lamellardomain 100, 1000 is thus formed in particular by polar areas SLi ofpolymer E containing covalently bound sulfur S, and polar areas QLi ofthe at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi, whereby polymer backbone E ofpolymer E containing covalently bound sulfur S, and polymer backbone Aof the at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi form a structural lamellardomain. Lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting lamellardomains 100, 1000 are formed in particular between structural lamellardomains EA, so that channels 100 and/or planes 1000 extend betweenadjacent lamellar structural domains AE.

FIGS. 1a through 1c also illustrate that polymer E containing covalentlybound sulfur S, and the at least one polymer electrolyte AQLi are mixedat the molecular level, in particular also within the lamellar domains.Polymer E containing covalently bound sulfur S and the at least onepolymer electrolyte AQLi may in particular form a bicontinuous network.

FIG. 1a illustrates that within the scope of one specific embodiment,polar areas SLi, QLi of two identical, adjacent structural lamellardomains EA, in particular upper and lower polar areas SLi, QLi, face oneanother and interact with one another or adhere to one another, and mayform a single lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting lamellardomain 1000.

FIG. 1b illustrates that within the scope of another specificembodiment, in each case only polar areas SLi, QLi that are connected toone of the two structural lamellar domains EA form a lithiumion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting lamellar domain 1000 betweentwo adjacent structural lamellar domains EA.

FIG. 1c depicts a perspective view of FIG. 1a , and shows that channels100 extend in particular along polymer backbone E of polymer Econtaining covalently bound sulfur S, and the at least one polymerelectrolyte AQLi, and due to the lamellar arrangement, in particular alarge lithium ion-conducting plane 1000 having a lithium ionconductivity is formed which is lithium ion-conducting in two spatialdirections.

FIG. 2 shows a lithium-sulfur cell 1 which includes a cathode 10, ananode 20, and an area 30 between cathode 10 and anode 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates that cathode 10 includes a particulate cathode activematerial 11. Particles 11 include at least one sulfur-containing cathodeactive material and at least one lithium ion-conducting or lithiumion-conductive polymer electrolyte, and/or at least one inorganic ionconductor (not illustrated in detail in FIG. 2). The at least onecathode active material may include in particular a polymer containingin particular covalently bound sulfur. For example, the polymer of theat least one cathode active material may be produced by sulfidation of apolymer, in particular polyacrylonitrile. For example, the at least onecathode active material may for example be a sulfur-carbon composite, inparticular a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile composite, for example SPAN. Asexplained in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1a through 1c ,the at least one cathode active material, in particular the polymercontaining in particular covalently bound sulfur, and the at least onepolymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganic ion conductor mayform lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting channels and/or inparticular lithium ion-conductive or lithium ion-conducting planes, inparticular at the molecular level (not illustrated in detail in FIG. 2;see FIGS. 1a through 1c ).

FIG. 2 shows that cell 1 also includes a cathode current collector 14.Cathode current collector 14 may be made of aluminum, for example, andused in particular for electrical contacting and also as a support.

FIG. 2 illustrates that particles 11 are directly joined, for examplepressed, together. Since particles 11 themselves are ion-conducting, theion conduction may advantageously take place directly from particle 11to particle 11. This advantageously allows the quantity of polymerelectrolyte used as cathode material binder to be significantly reduced,or even for a polymer electrolyte used as cathode material binder to bedispensed with. Within the scope of the specific embodiment shown inFIG. 2, cathode material 10 is therefore free from polymer electrolytethat is used as cathode material binder.

FIG. 2 also shows that anode 20 includes an anode active material 21,for example metallic lithium or a lithium alloy, and an anode currentcollector 22 made of copper, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates that between 30 cathode 10 and anode 20, a layer 31(P) made of a block copolymer is formed which is used as a separatorand/or protective layer. FIG. 3 shows that an anode protective layer 32,for example made of an inorganic, for example ceramic and/or vitreous,material may additionally be provided which is used, for example, as abarrier layer against dendrite growth. However, layer 31 (P) mayoptionally also be used as the sole layer between anode 20 and cathode10, which replaces anode protective layer 32 (not illustrated).

The specific embodiment shown in FIG. 3 differs from the specificembodiment shown in FIG. 2 essentially in that particles 11 areincorporated and/or embedded in at least one polymer electrolyte 12 (P),which in particular is used as cathode material binder, or in a solidelectrolyte 12 (P). The at least one polymer electrolyte of particles11, and polymer electrolyte 12 (P) which in particular is used ascathode material binder, may be the same or different.

FIG. 3 illustrates that in addition, particulate cathode material 10 isblended with a particulate, in particular electrical, conductivityadditive 13, for example a carbon modification, which is likewiseconnected, for example elastically, to particles 11 of the cathodeactive material and to cathode current collector 14 with the aid ofpolymer electrolyte 12 (P), which is used as a binder 12.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cathode material for an alkali metal-sulfurcell or a lithium-sulfur cell, comprising: at least one cathode activematerial, wherein the at least one cathode active material includes apolymer containing covalently bound sulfur; at least one lithiumion-conducting or lithium ion-conductive polymer electrolyte and/or atleast one inorganic ion conductor; and (a) at least one metal sulfide,wherein the at least one metal sulfide is one of (i) at least onetransition metal sulfide, or (ii) at least one metal sulfide of at leastone metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group; and/or (b) atleast one electrically conductive metal compound, wherein the at leastone electrically conductive metal compound is one of (i) at least oneelectrically conducting metal oxide or (ii) at least one electricallyconducting metal carbide, wherein the at least one metal sulfideincludes electrochemically active sulfur, contains more than one sulfuratom for each metal atom, or contains more than one metal atom for eachsulfur atom.
 2. The cathode material of claim 1, wherein the at leastone transition metal sulfide and/or the at least one metal sulfide of atleast one metal of the third, fourth, and/or fifth main group iscontained or incorporated, in the at least one cathode active material,in the polymer containing covalently bound sulfur.
 3. An alkalimetal-sulfur cell or a lithium-sulfur cell, comprising: a cathodematerial, including: at least one cathode active material; at least onelithium ion-conducting or lithium ion-conductive polymer electrolyteand/or at least one inorganic ion conductor; wherein the at least onecathode active material includes a polymer containing covalently boundsulfur, and wherein the polymer containing covalently bound sulfur, andthe at least one polymer electrolyte and/or the at least one inorganicion conductor form ion-conductive or ion-conducting channels that extendalong a polymer backbone of the polymer containing covalently boundsulfur and/or of the at least one polymer electrolyte; a cathode; ananode; and a separator and/or a protective layer between the cathode andthe anode, wherein the separator and/or the protective layer includes atleast one polystyrene-polyethylene oxide block copolymer that includesat least one polystyrene component, at least one polyethylene oxidecomponent, and at least one polyisoprene component, at least onepolyacrylate-polyethylene oxide block copolymer that includes at leastone polyacrylate component, at least one polyethylene oxide component,and at least one polyisoprene component, and at least one polymerelectrolyte, which includes at least one repeating unit of the generalchemical formula:

wherein: -[A]- stands for a polymer backbone-forming unit, X stands fora spacer, x stands for the number of spacers X and is 1 or 0, and Qstands for a positively charged group Q⁺ and a counterion Z⁻, or Qstands for a negatively charged group Q and a counterion Z⁺, or Q standsfor an uncharged group.